[Theatre, SA Premiere]
Radium Girls by Galleon Theatre Company
Domain Theatre at Marion Cultural Centre
Fri 24 Oct, 2025
The magic of electric light was all around, with science ushering in more new inventions to fundamentally shift society. In this bold era, radium was even touted as a miracle cure for all kinds of illnesses! The teenage girls would come home from working with it and glow in the dark: their hair, clothes and shoes. It appeared you could harness the power of the stars. Perhaps its pernicious popularity still echoes today in the vast array of wonder drugs pushed by ‘big pharma.’
The astonishing depth and breadth of talent in Adelaide theatre is on full display in Radium Girls – the latest offering from Galleon Theatre Company. The show is brilliantly brought to life by this tight ensemble of experienced actors, who each handle a range of characters with consummate professionalism. This entails switching roles in moments, often literally turning around to adopt a different persona for the next scene.
They accomplish this by the clever technique of letting these changes happen in full view at the side of the stage. With minimum costume and prop changes, it relies on the finely-honed skills of the cast. This allows for smooth scene changes and the crisp flow of the action.. And by keeping everything open on stage it also fits perfectly with the main theme, that of exposing the need of justice for workers’ rights.
The script by D. W. Gregory gives the main characters time to develop and demonstrate the complex nature of their inner struggles to remain true to their principles while listening to the conflicting voices of their closest relationships. The American accents are kept consistent throughout both acts, no mean feat in such a diverse group. This contributes considerably to maintaining the setting of this historical play, and re-creating the frenetic world of New York city. The story is gradually revealed from both sides: both from the workers and their families as well as from the bosses’ perspective. With the stakes a matter of life and death, they could not be higher. The drama builds into the second act to increasing emotional heights.
To ensure this tension continues to rise until the final climax is a considerable accomplishment by all involved. Credit is due to the deft direction by Kym Clayton, strongly supported by fine performances by all. Likewise, the crew behind the scenes do an excellent job of making this a seamless production. The stage design for example evokes the period beautifully, drawing on movies and art from the time.
There is more than enough to engage, and resonate with, the audience. The extremes of unimaginable money and power concentrating in the hands of less people is even more present today. With our trust in traditional institutions cracking if not crumbling, this is a powerful metaphor for the current crises we face. The Brechtian style of theatre they choose to use in mounting this play means we as the audience feel directly involved in the action. We too are confronted by their choices: to take a stand for your beliefs, despite the opposition, or to compromise when the pressures come from all sides, including that of imminent death.
5 Stars
David Cronin
Radium Girls continues at the Domain Theatre, Marion Cultural Centre at various times until Sat 1 Nov. Book tickets HERE.
#TheClothesline
The Clothesline Rating
David Cronin
Deft direction by Kym Clayton, strongly supported by fine performances by all.
