“The Half Life of Marie Curie” is a touching and dramatic story of two women supporting one another in difficult circumstances, and it also explores the life of a brilliant scientist and the challenges she faced in a male-dominated scientific community.

~Review and Photos by Dana Nöllsch~

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The Story of “The Half Life of Marie Curie”

Marie Curie found herself embroiled in controversy as the media focused on her affair with a fellow scientist. The French public was more than ready to vilify her, and she was ill-prepared for the hatred they showed her. But her friend Hertha Ayrton came to her rescue by offering her refuge.

This is the drama that brings these two friends closer, but the story is more than just the controversy over the affair. Actually, that is a very small part of the story. Marie Curie was a dedicated, brilliant scientist who had a laser focus on her research. Her research centered on radioactivity and the elements associated with it. As a matter of fact, she coined the term radioactive. Her dedication and determination to discovery were the driving force of her life, but at times, a life dominated by work seemed empty to her. Her husband passed, and her loneliness took her to the arms of another man, but that man was married. Hence the drama that the press picked up on.

With Hertha coming to her rescue and offering her a place to escape prying eyes, Marie was able to regroup and regenerate her soul. Much of the play takes place in Hertha’s sanctuary, a secluded place with a beautiful beach to walk on and the constant sound of the ocean to soothe them.

But to her horror, Hertha, being a scientist herself, discovered that Marie was keeping a radioactive element with her at all times. Since the science was so new, they did not know the extent of the dangers of doing such a thing, but Hertha knew that there was something wrong with Marie’s health.

The Half Life of Marie Curie, written by Lauren Gunderson, is a wonderfully written and moving tale of friendship, dedication, science, and the strength of sisterhood.

Even though Lauren Gunderson took some dramatic license in the dialog, the story rings true to historic events and celebrates one of the most dedicated and brilliant scientists of ours or anytime. Marie Curie was a two-time Nobel Prize-winning scientist, the first woman to win a Nobel Prize, and the first person to win two Nobel Prizes in 2 separate disciplines.

We also find out in the story where Marie Curie went after the drama died down, as with any media blitzed attack on an individual, there is always a short half-life. I found what happened to Curie after the fervor died down to be most fascinating, as she went to the front lines in World War I to save soldiers. She was so dedicated that she even learned how to perform operations on wounded men.

There is much more to the story than I put here. The reason is that I think you should go see The Half Life of Marie Curie for yourself, not only to learn about her life, but also to enjoy a wonderful play written, directed, and acted by many wonderful, dedicated women.

Here are some Photos to give you a taste of “The Half Life of Marie Curie.”

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What about the Performances?

The Half Life of Marie Curie is a big story to tell, and with only two actors on stage.

The performances are passionate and powerful. Taralynn Wallace plays Marie Curie with a powerful focus, as you would expect from a scientist, but also with the naivete of someone with little experience in social circles. This draws the audience in, bringing that feeling that you just want to protect this woman. And I also have to say, her accent is so spot-on that I was wondering where they found an actress from France.

Mary Bennett plays Hertha Ayrton with the power of a protective friend. Her performance as the woman who wants to wrap her friend in a protective cocoon is captivating. We should all be so lucky to have a friend like Hertha.

Together on stage, these two actors bring the story of Marie Curie to the audience’s hearts and minds.

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The Bottom Line

If you are looking to be entertained and moved by a powerful story, then The Half Life of Marie Curie is exactly what you want to see. More than that, after you see the show and on your way home, you will most likely be googling Marie Curie to learn more about her life, but make sure your passenger is the one googling, as being on your phone while driving is not a good idea.

All joking aside, this story is so moving and powerful that you will want to find out more, and you may even want to become a scientist yourself.

And that’s the bottom line.

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The Half Life of Marie Curie

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