30 May 2025
By James Mullan
Gabrielle Scawthorn is set to return to the theatre where she got her big start on stage, starring as Marie Curie in The Half Life of Marie Curie. In an interview with the Sun, Scawthorn shared insights into her acting journey, preparation, and what to expect in the upcoming production.
Scawthorn’s path to acting began unconventionally with reality television. “I was actually on reality television when I was younger with a big kind of Westfield search for the next Channel V presenter” she remembered.
This experience led her mother to encourage her to audition for NIDA, a pivotal moment in her career. “My mom really encouraged me to audition for NIDA, and then I got in, and so it was kind of like at the time, something that’s really important in our industry. The NIDA institution said, you might be able to do this.”
From there, Scawthorn has enjoyed a career on stage spanning from the Belvoir and Bell Shakespeare to all the way to the Royal National Theatre of Great Britain. In fact, she got her first main stage show opportunity at the Ensemble, making this show a homecoming of sorts.
When discussing her involvement in the Ensemble’s production, Scawthorn explained, “I got offered it, which is very, very sweet and very, very kind. But the thing that drew me to saying yes, were the other actor, Beck Massey.”
Massey will be performing the role of Hertha Ayrton, a fellow scientist and trusted confidant of Curie.
She praised Massey’s talent, “Bec has this special thing that not many actors have where she can go really big so she can embody larger than life characters, but still be talking to the person opposite them. She’s still just talking and she’s still completely real and living something.”
The production’s theme of friendship also resonated with Scawthorn, with both actors striking up an immediate chemistry.
“We had a weekend away together last week, yes… We are really just putting our heart and souls on the line, and there’s a lot of bonding and friendship happening in the room.” She added, “There’s nothing like cooking together. I think cooking and a morning coffee together, that first coffee of the morning, that is sacred bonding time.”
Scawthorn also spoke fondly of the Ensemble Theatre itself. “What’s special is the community that they have there, and it is like, it’s a very intimate space.” She highlighted the respect for actors and praised Jim Birch, the bar manager, stating, “He just knows everyone’s name, he knows everyone’s drink. He is the kindest man in the world. So I’ll always do an Ensemble show for Jim.”
Regarding her preparation for playing Marie Curie, Scawthorn shared her process. “I read a book and I listened to a book, and what I’m really looking for are similarities and differences. Where do I collide with this person and where do I veer away?”
She emphasised the importance of imagination and bringing something personal to the character, saying, “It’s really honing in on those similarities and understanding why you’re different and why they think that way.”
Scawthorn addressed the challenge of portraying Curie’s illness, that at the time the play was set, was getting to an advanced intensity. “So the difference between me and Mercury is I don’t have radium poisoning… she’s trying to mask this sickness and present. She’s in complete denial that she’s sick.”
When asked what audiences can expect from the production, Scawthorn said, “It’s funny, you’ve got Beck Massey in the show. It’s funny, but I think it’s one of those shows that there’s ha ha gut punch, and you’ll learn a bunch of stuff.” She described it as “just humans. It’s just a friendship,” and noted, “It’s two of the greatest minds the world’s ever had, and you’re invited to a weekend away with them.”
Running from June 13 to July 12 at The Ensemble Theatre, Kirribilli, The Half Life of Marie Curie brings the audience into the famous scientist and her friend. Lauren Gunderson, America’s most-produced living playwright, portrays their journey through heartbreak, public scrutiny, and self-doubt with both heart and humour, highlighting the resilience of true pioneers. Despite facing significant personal and professional challenges, the two women remained dedicated to scientific innovation and social change.