High Octave Productions has announced the world premiere of The Radium Girls, a new musical inspired by the real-life experiences of the women who worked on factory frontlines in 1920s America.
The production will run at Southwark Playhouse Borough from 20 March to 8 May 2027, with a press night scheduled for 30 March.
Described as a witty, dark and moving musical with female friendship and a fight for justice at its heart, The Radium Girls follows teenager Olive and her friends Helen and Frances as they secure coveted jobs painting luminous watch dials at New Jersey’s United States Radium Corporation.
What initially appears to be an opportunity-filled workplace soon reveals a darker reality as unexplained illnesses begin to spread among the workers. As rumours circulate and workers fall sick, Olive sets out to uncover the truth behind the company’s deadly secret.
The musical features a book by Amanda D’Archangelis, Sami Horneff and Lisa Mongillo, with music by D’Archangelis and lyrics by Horneff and Mongillo.
Tony Award winner Marissa Jaret Winokur, best known for creating the role of Tracy Turnblad in Hairspray on Broadway, directs the production. Olivier Award winner Chadd McMillan serves as Associate Director, with choreography by Rebecca Reaney and orchestrations by Jonathan Bauerfeld.
The production is led by an all-female writing team and is produced by High Octave Productions, whose previous credits include Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club, Days of Wine and Roses and The Sound Inside.
Wendy Morgan-Hunter, Founder and CEO of High Octave Productions, said: “The true history of the Radium Girls is now taught in schools across the U.S. and the U.K. As dark as this history is, our writers have found a way to retell it with heart and humor—honoring the memories of these young women and their loved ones, while allowing us to connect with their stories. While these characters’ experiences are heartbreaking, they ultimately find resolution in the end.
“Working with this team, I fell in love with the lushness of this score, our director Marissa’s artistic vision, our AD Chadd’s knowledge of the craft, and our orchestrator Jon’s quiet brilliance. Most of all, I fell in love with our writers—Sami, Amanda, and Lisa. After years of dedicated rewriting and refining, they have created something truly brilliant that honors these women’s history, ensures they did not die in vain, and speaks powerfully to the experiences of women today.
“To quote my favorite song from the show: Whenever it is dark, like really f****n dark…there is light!”
Supported by co-producers Stubbs and Saul Productions, The Radium Girls aims to bring the story of the pioneering workers who challenged corporate wrongdoing to a new generation of theatre audiences.
Listings and ticket information can be found here.
