Masks. People obfuscating the truth about science and personal danger. Corporations avoiding responsibility for their actions. Lawyers purposefully manipulating the system. Women as second class citizens. Headlines from today, certainly. Radium Girls, however, takes place in the 1920’s in Orange, New Jersey. The themes are the same in this famously true story of industrial poisoning.
The United States Radium Corporation opened a factory which painted luminous watch dials for use by soldiers in World War I. The paint was created by Doctor Von Sochocky (David Logan Rankin). The young women in their teens had steady work but had no idea the risks they were taking. In order to save time and money, the girls were instructed to bring the paintbrushes to their lips or tongues to sharpen the points. They completed hundreds of watches per day.
Over time, the girls began to fall ill. Mouths start bleeding. Teeth fell out. In one of the most horrendous descriptions, entire jaws could be removed due to the deterioration. This play is about certain of the ladies who sued the company for “compensation.” For those who know this story (and I am one of them), there are no plot surprises. The horrors of unchecked capitalism still draw powerful parallels a century later.
As is typical with Metropolitan Playhouse productions, the budget is spare and creatively effective. Three tables and chairs are alternatively factory floors, offices, homes and hospital beds. Everything about this Off-Off Broadway theater suggests the past so this staging in this location works perfectly to absorb the story. The play is not a great one as the exposition, especially in Act I, is somewhat clumsy. The tale, however, is riveting.
Director Laura Livingston shines a spotlight on our COVID times by employing masks to represent the dead. They are periodically placed on the shelf throughout the play as a reminder of the seriousness of this corporate greed and indifference to human life. The technicians in the company did not suffer similar fates as they were given lead shields to work behind. The women, though, were encouraged to lick radiation all day long.
This play contains more than thirty characters with 10 actors. Half play multiple roles and all do terrific work. Ms. Livingston’s production keeps everything clear and easy to follow. The technical elements, particularly the lighting design, create an atmosphere suitable to the story. The glow on the tables was a nice touch.
The story centers around Grace Fryer (Olivia Killingsworth) and Kathryn Schaub (Grace Bernardo). Grace is the “good girl” type while Kathryn is tougher and more questioning. Both actresses excel in their characterizations. No matter what their individual personalities, the impending result will be the same. Watching them is both heartbreaking and illuminating. Grace was the one who can be described as lead plaintiff.
A young vibrant woman with a full life ahead of her dropped out of school to work in the factory. She and her boyfriend (Kyle Maxwell, excellent) are planning their future and getting engaged to be married. In concentrating the story around one particular relationship, the harm perpetuated by this company cuts deeply.
Arthur Roeder (Kelly Dean Cooper, also excellent) climbs up the ladder and becomes the head of the company. The stock price, the company’s image, the legal maneuvering and the coverups are all addressed here. Advertising is defined as not just presenting a product; “it’s the way you promote it.” From the mouth of this CEO: “scientists, government; they have no idea what it takes to run a business.” For some audience members, familiarity will bring contempt.
There is a nice touch at the end of this story when the CEO and his daughter are talking. She mentions that science has come so far since the terrible events which struck these ladies in their prime of life. Perhaps she is partially correct. But she says this while lighting a cigarette. History repeating itself again and again. Now is the time to shed light on the story of the Radium Girls. We must look at the past with eyes wide open if we are to imagine a potential future where fellow human beings are more important than corporations and profits.
Performances of Radium Girls are scheduled through November 21, 2021.