These Shining Lives

The first of the Spring season of productions for the Bradley University Theatre Department is the harrowing, but empowering ‘These Shining Lives’. A play written by Melanie Marnich. Based on the true story of four women who worked in a watch factory in Ottawa, Illinois, the play dramatizes the danger women faced in the workforce in the 1920s, and the lack of concern by companies for protecting the health of its employees.

Narrated by one of the workers, Catherine Donohue, These Shining Lives shows women getting a chance for a well-paying job in the 1920s and early 1930s, which was uncharacteristic for the time in the United States. The job, which seems easy enough to the four main characters, is painting the hour markings onto different sized watch dials using a radium compound which glows in the dark. Radium Dial, the company that hires the women to do the painting, tells them that there is no evidence that radium is harmful, and even has health benefits. After a few years, the workers notice that their hands start glowing in the dark, but assume that it is just from the radium powder that is used to paint the faces. The ladies develop ailments, including jaw infections and bone pain, but several local doctors tell them that all they need is aspirin, which of course does not help. After years of search, they find a doctor who is willing to put his name on the line and diagnose the women with radium poisoning. This in turn helps the four main characters decide to file a lawsuit against Radium Dial. An attorney, Leonard J. Grossman, agrees to take the case for free with Donohue as the lead plaintiff. They win, but Donohue succumbs to radium’s effects. The real Catherine Donohue died on July 27, 1938, shortly after testifying before the Illinois Industrial Commission.

As always, a challenging, but extremely enjoyable piece to work on. The visuals for the production needed to show the obvious elements of radium and time, but also emphasize the collaborative strength and empathy of the women characters involved.

Here are some initial ideas followed by the final poster piece…

Final Days

So, the last free day gave my students the chance to explore one last time. Some headed out of the city to places such as Stonehenge, while others visited the multitude of amazing markets London has to offer. I spent time with family in a wonderful pub in Islington, eating Sunday dinner and watching my mighty blue’s (Everton FC) beat Manchester City on tv. A perfect end to a hectic, fun Study Abroad to London.

Until January 2019!

Deadline Day. Presentations

So the deadline for the team brief arrived – just three days to develop a strong Creative Strategy and then apply it to campaignable ideas. Each team had to select an iconic British brand and find a way to incorporate President (to be) Donald Trump into the brand strategy – I kid you not! A wonderful creative challenge 🙂

Team 1 chose Mini. 2 chose Rolex and team 3 chose Burberry. All great presentations, well delivered and well executed.

Continue reading “Deadline Day. Presentations”

Back in Time to the 60’s and a Faculty Get-together

I was determined to get out to at least one exhibition while I was here. The ‘You say you want a revolution’ one at the V&A museum was recommended to me by a friend, and it didn’t let me down.

Although I relate more to the late 1970’s and early 1980’s – this exhibition was extremely interesting and entertaining. It was nice to again see the legend, Alan Aldridge, referenced time and time again, reinforcing just how much of a part he was of the whole scene. Definitely recommend going to see this one – whether your an old hippy or not, it gives a very insightful overview of the whole counter culture revolution.

The end of the night say the majority of the faculty and directors of this years trip enjoying a beer and some good food at my favorite pub – The Lamb. Good company and good conversation.

More Brainstorming

As the students progress with their final brief, they were offered some much needed additional help and strategy direction from a good friend of mine who came from working on his own deadlines straight to the pub to discuss the brief with all three teams. Thank you Russ 🙂

Borough Market – My favorite London haunt

For an afternoon of wandering around (and eating), you can’t beat one of my all time favorite places in London – Borough Market. Wonderful range of foods and cultures. One day I will get the nerve up to try the jellied eels!!!

Waiting for my Veal burger with cheese…

Real Turkish coffee (double shot!)

British Breakfast and Brainstorming

As with any long trip, however good the hotel breakfast is, you tend to get a little ‘cabin fever’ after a while, so I ventured out to find a little cafe I had read about.

The Bloomsbury Coffee House is tucked away in the basement of a hotel, accessible outside by a little set of stairs. Cute and cottagy inside, with a great menu and (spotty) wifi – a really nice place to start the day off at, away from the craziness happening on the sidewalk above.