August 25, 2024
In 1911, Marie Curie won her second Nobel Prize, this time in Chemistry, for the discovery of radium and polonium. However, she was not in the mood for any celebration. At that time, the widow Curie was being bashed in public for having a clandestine love affair with another scientist named Paul, who was very much married. The Nobel organization even asked her not to attend her awarding ceremony because of the controversy she will attract.
At this lowest point of her life, Curie was visited by her very good friend, electromechanical engineer Hertha Ayrton. Ayrton invited Curie and her two daughters Irene and Evie to come visit her in her seaside rest home back in Great Britain. Away from the distressing public scrutiny in France, Curie and Ayrton bonded over stories about their late husbands, about Curie's illicit affair, about Ayrton's criminal record, among other things.
Lauren Gunderson is a prolific American playwright who usually wrote about female scientists. Of her 25 plays written since 2001, I have only seen one of them so far -- "Silent Sky" (2011) about astronomer Henrietta Leavitt -- staged by Repertory Philippines in 2018. "The Half-life of Marie Curie" (2019) was about the most famous female scientist -- Curie, but sharing the stage was a fellow scientist, lesser-known, but also deserving of notice -- Ayrton.
The first time I had seen Missy Maramara in action onstage was in 2018, in Dulaang Up's "Ang Dalagita'y Isang Bagay na Di-buo," and I had admired her since then. Maramara was very intense in portraying Curie's frustration and depression as her respected career crumbled down over the weight of a scandal. Those who know Maramara more as a improv comedian of SPIT would also relish her sharp comic timing in the moments of levity here.
Caisa Borromeo was such a ball of energy throughout this play as Hertha Ayrton, from her introductory spiel about her invention. to her story about how she got her unique name, to her ribbing Marie to share juicy details. She was the best friend we all wish we had -- always looking on the bright side, always excited over our achievement, always honest in her criticism. The chemistry of Maramara and Borromeo was impeccable and a joy to watch.
The fact that most of us now knew nothing about this "big scandal" which caused Marie Curie sleepless nights from 1911-12 proved that, more likely than not, history will eventually just remember us for our important achievements than our moments of human weakness. Meanwhile, while we are still saddled with these mental health issues, we are lucky if we have loving family and loyal friends to rely on for support during these tough times.
Gunderson brings up now and again the constant challenge women go through to find equal footing in a world dominated by men. Women had always been judged with a different standard, be it about scientific achievements, political decisions or moral issues. Curie and Ayrton both loved their late husbands very much, but they also wanted to be known as brilliant scientists on their own merits. This play brings us into the intensity of their struggle.
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"The Half-life of Marie Curie" is a two-hander play that runs for about 90 minutes without an intermission. This MusicArtes production is directed by Kiara Pipino, and staged at the Doreen Black Box Theater at the Arete in the Ateneo. Play runs 7pm on August 23-25, 27-30 with 3pm matinees on August 24-25, 30-31. It is rated PG-13 as there are scenes that tackle sex, gender discrimination, self-harm, and violence.
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