Theatre Canadore presents Radium Girls this week
The curtain rises on the sixth season of Theatre Canadore on Thursday, April 23.
Set in 1917, Radium Girls, is this year’s production.
The college says the play, written by D.W. Gregory, follows Grace Fryer and other teenage girls hired to paint radium-lit watch dials for soldiers in the Great War. After painters begin to fall ill, and many die without clear explanation, Grace embarks on a determined pursuit of the truth—launching a courageous fight for justice that will test her voice, her resilience and, ultimately, her life.
“It’s a little nerve-wracking portraying a real person especially because I want to do the story justice and not water down everything that she went through,” says Lacie Baxter, who plays Grace. “I did a lot of research about her life as well as the lives of other dial painters. I looked at what it was like being a teenager/young woman in that time and compared it to now, 100 years later. All the differences and similarities really put everything into perspective. It helped me understand her so that I can better share her story.”
Officials say the play highlights the resilience of ordinary individuals in the face of systemic inequality, while shedding light on the historical injustices endured by American workers—issues that continue to resonate in contemporary labour conversations.
“Not only do I hope that people who watch the show now understand the historical significance and the direct impact that these people have made on our lives,” said Baxter. “I also hope that they come out of the show with more confidence to think for themselves about the things we do, continue to question the “why” in our own lives, and fight for injustices even when it’s hard, or you’re the only one, because that’s how we make change.”
Three shows are taking place Thursday through Saturday (7 pm) on the David Fox Stage in the Canadore College Theatre (G107).
General admission is $20.
The show is recommended for mature audiences, while content warnings include death and illness, dated views of women, loud noises and flashing lights.
Richard Coffinhttps://www.mynorthbaynow.com/Richard Coffin has been a reporter and news anchor on the radio in North Bay for over 25 years. From premiers to people in the neighbourhood, he enjoys connecting with newsmakers and writing stories that matter to area listeners on a variety of topics including healthcare, education, politics, sports and more.
