A Curious Thing: The Story Of Mary Anning ~ Adelaide Fringe 2023 Review

[Theatre and Musical/Theatre/Musical Theatre ~ WORLD PREMIERE ~ SA] Ayers House, Sat 25 Feb, 2023. The actor and singer Michelle Nightingale plays both the older and younger Mary Anning with equal ease. She slips between these ages just as she brings the distant past to life in the present, by cracking open rocks from the cliffs along the seashore to reveal the rich palaeontological history there. The writer, Michael Mills achieves the impressive feat of not only making a musical of a scientific subject, but also making it fun and enjoyable for all the family. The bright, cheery songs encourage the audience to join in. They present an excellent mix of melodies and timings. While the introduction and the first act are at a lower key, the whole piece soon picks up pace. We go walking with her on the beach and get caught up in her passion to understand the curious creatures she discovers. The performer’s strong, fine voice communicates these emotions – love of her family, the joy of exploration, and the frustrations she encounters when dealing with the institutions of British science. These are for men only, and the feisty fossicker comes face to face with the locked door of patriarchy. Their derogatory view of Mary serves purely to bolster their egos and maintain their sexist prejudice. And this despite many men coming to her for information and her fossils, both of which then bear the men’s names! The simple art of storytelling is superbly executed, though it takes a few moments to get used to her accent. By the end of the show even the children could tell you what a palaeontologist is, and what she does. The repetition of the themes through the marvellous music helps to consolidate their messages. It especially helped to repeat the first song, which seemed like a lot of science to take in. Mary Anning’s example invites young girls to leave no stone unturned and to step confidently into their future. She inspires us all to swing a hammer and crack open the rocks of rusted-on denial. For the task is still ahead, to bring down the blocks to women’s progress, those pillars of patriarchy, one tap, tap, tap at a time. Come on a journey to discover a world of remarkable, prehistoric creatures, and of the extraordinary woman who discovered them. Based on a true story, this delightful musical adventure for the whole family explores the world of Mary Anning, and how she made some of the most important fossil discoveries of all time. Starring Michelle Nightingale as Mary Anning. Written and directed by Michael Mills. Presented by: Heaps Good Productions 4 stars David Cronin A Curious Thing: The Story of Mary Anning continues at Ayers House various times until Sun 11 Mar. Book at FringeTIX and adelaidefringe.com.au. Click HERE to purchase your tickets. #Clothesline_Mag #ADLfringe