One-woman show blends science and the arts

A NOT-to-be-missed one-woman show celebrating the unexpected scientific genius of Hedy Lamarr is coming to the Discovery Science and Technology Centre later this month.

Lamarr was an actress from the Golden Age of Hollywood who starred in hit films such as Samson and Delilah (1949).

As legend has it, she helped develop a frequency-hopping spread spectrum technology during World War II that became a foundation for modern wireless communication systems, including Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.

Written and performed by New York City astrophysicist, actor and writer Heather Massie, HEDY! The life & inventions of Hedy Lamarr is a 36-character solo play that’s toured the world, picking up 29 awards along the way.

On the line from Bulgaria, Massie told the story about how she developed the show.

“Growing up, I wanted to be an astronaut or an inventor,” she said.

“I started university in astrophysics and ended up with a theatre arts degree, but science was always close to my heart.

“I decided that I wanted to have something that I could take around the world, and realised that I’d have to make it myself.

“I figured that a lot of different groups would have interest in Hedy because she’s Hollywood, she’s invention, she’s intrigue, she’s part of the history of World War II.

“That’s proven to be a very good choice because I’m still touring the show seven and a half years later.”

HEDY! The life & inventions of Hedy Lamarr takes place on Wednesday 14 August from 6pm. Tickets can be booked at discovery.asn.au/exhibit/hedy.

The show is touring Australia for National Science Week and is sponsored by World Learning and Fulbright Australia. The $4 ticket price goes towards supporting Girls in STEM programs at the Centre.