A Curious Thing

Mary Anning was born in Lyme Regis, England at the end of the 18th century, where science was not an option for a woman, even one as talented and passionate about studying the past through the fossils that she discovered at the foot of the cliffs where she lived.

For an hour in Ayers House in Adelaide, Michelle Nightingale and Michael Mills take us on a journey through her life: surviving as the ‘Lightning Girl’ and following the passions of her father and brother to discover significant remains of animals from the Jurassic period.

It’s a story told in word and song – and the melodies are appealing to the all-ages audience, Nightingale engaging everyone in the packed venue, including offering a young member an ammonite from her basket. She brings life to Anning, genuine emotion - both good and bad - as she remembers the important times of her life, from the safety of her workshop scattered with her palaeontologist tools. Nightingale is captivating through every moment on stage, narrating, singing, and living the story through the sixty minutes. The only irritation is her inexplicable Irish accent;  Dorset dialect is wonderful and is sadly missing here.

But as jolly as some of the songs are, there’s sadness and anger in others, as she can only imagine presenting to the London Geological Society, and Mary’s battle is against the scientific patriarchy, where the men that purchased her findings are the ones credited with their discovery.

It’s an important piece of work, challenging families with the struggles of women in STEM from so long ago, and whilst this show’s focus is on Anning’s battles with the scientific community, it’s a reminder that this isn’t exactly equal today.

Mark Wickett