The Amazing Life of Actress and Genius Inventor Hedy Lamarr

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Heather Massie brings her one-woman show to the Barons Court Theatre

Heather Massie as Hedy Lamarr

July 8, 2024

NYC artist and Fulbright Specialist Heather Massie is bringing her award-winning, internationally acclaimed show, HEDY! The Life & Inventions of Hedy Lamarr to Barons Court Theatre.

The English premiere of the production about the actress and genius inventor Hedy Lamarr runs from 10-13 July.

It was first performed off Broadway in 2016 and has since toured 16 countries.

Heather celebrates Hedy Lamarr, Hollywood film star and genius inventor, as a woman of science. Hedy was known as 'the most beautiful woman in the world', and thus her intellect was often overlooked. Hedy loved to invent in her spare time in Hollywood, and developed technology for torpedoes during WWII to support the Allied Forces. This technology launched today's wireless technology revolution and is used in our cell phones, WiFi, GPS, and Bluetooth.

Heather Massie studied Astrophysics in university with dreams of becoming an astronaut before studying Theatre Arts. Now she combines her loves of art and science by celebrating the stories of women in science, through theatre. She portrays 36 characters in this solo play, enchanting the audience as Hedy Lamarr, along with Jimmy Stewart, George Sanders, Louis B Mayer, and more.

Heather says, “Hedy is summoned to unearth the truth behind how a glamorous actress could create an invention which launched today's wireless technology revolution. My mission with the work is to inspire audiences, especially to encourage young women in science and technology, and to establish Hedy Lamarr as a role model for intelligence, ingenuity, and invention! “

This is a special production of Barons Court Theatre in association with WEST: World of English Speaking Theatres, an organization founded by the ProEnglish Theatre of Ukraine.

Tickets are £15 or £10 for concessions including students, over 60s, unemployed, NHS staff, & Austrian actresses.

Later in the month at the same venue, an outlaw in the Wild West stumbles upon a peculiar saloon run by a wacky barman. As eccentric characters enter the saloon one-by-one, the outlaw and his new-found assistant must discover the truth behind the Saloon’s mysterious effects, despite everyone’s lack of memory. Absurd comedy turns to religious despair in this wacky slapstick adventure from Broken Gods Productions. Can the cowboy in the black hat connect the dots or will the Saloon swallow these drifters for good?

Written by Luke Road and directed by Calum McArthur, the hour long play runs from 16 -27 July with performances at 7.30pm on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

Along with the regular cast there will be a guest each night from the charity White City theatre project offering a young person the chance to perform alongside professional actors.

Tickets cost £15 or £10 for concessions.

Later in the month sees the UK premiere of Funny Guy, a dark comedy set in contemporary New York. Funny Guy features two thirty-something couples who are forced to confront reality when a giant neon marionette storms into their aspirational world. This be-careful-what-you-wish-for morality play for our troubled times featuring a unique glass tube neon marionette premiere in London before transferring to Edinburgh Festival Fringe for a full run. Book your tickets here: info@baronscourttheatre.com

Funny Guy explores the fragile underpinnings of love, friendship, and ambition in the lives of two thirty-something couples attempting to survive challenging times.

As Dan (Jud Meyers) and Emma (Karen Genaro Dosanjh) engage with Bill (Jesse R. Tendler) and Margie (Clara Francesca) in a tragi-comedy spiked with ambition, lust and betrayal, a glowering neon giant (Tommy Vance) storms into view and harshly illuminates their innermost desires and motivations. The towering marionette challenges the two couples to confront reality as they try to unpick the tangled chaos of their lives, before turning its searing neon light onto the audience.

Set in contemporary New York and written by multi-media artist Patrick Nash, Funny Guy introduces a unique element to the stage - a larger-than-life real neon marionette. Nash says: “Funny Guy offers audiences a unique, immersive experience that sits at the intersection of drama and innovation. It challenges perceptions and ignites introspection.”

Performances are on 25, 26 and 27 July at 9.30pm and tickets cost £15 or £10 for concessions. To book email info@baronscourtheatre.com or call the box office on 020 8932 4747.

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