Aiken Community Theatre’s next production deals the tragic consequences of the lack of compassion some companies have for their employees’ health and well-being.
Opening for two weekends on April 11, Melanie Marnich’s “These Shining Lives” follows the compelling stories of the “Radium Girls” – young women in the 1920s and 1930s who painted the faces of luminous watches and clocks with radioactive paint, according to a news release from Aiken Community Theatre.
Based on the true story of four women who worked for the Radium Dial Company – a watch factory in Ottawa, Illinois, the play showcases the danger women faced in the workplace and highlights the wider lack of concern companies had for protecting the health of their employees.
“Radium Girls” often ingested the radioactive substance as part of their job, according to Britannica.com.
“Because some of the watch dials on which they worked were extremely small, they were instructed to use their lips to bring their paint brushes to a fine point. When they asked about radium’s safety, they were assured by their managers that they had nothing to worry about,” Britannica said.
Marie Curie, who discovered radium, died from radiation exposure.
Directed by RJ Wall, “These Shining Lives” chronicles the strength and determination of Catherine, Pearl, Charlotte, and Frances – women considered expendable in their day.
Narrated by Catherine, their story is a one of survival in its most transcendent sense, as they refuse to allow the company that stole their health to kill their spirits—or endanger the lives of those who come after them, the release continued.
“These Shining Lives” will be performed at 7:30 p.m. April 11-12, 18-19 and at 2 p.m. April 13, at the Aiken Community Theatre, 126 Newberry St. SW.
For tickets, go here or call (803) 648-1438.
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