HEDY!

The Life & Inventions of Hedy Lamarr

 Celebrates the unexpected scientific genius of Hedy Lamarr, Viennese-born Hollywood film star of the 1930s-1950s. Known as The Most Beautiful Woman in the World, Lamarr spent her spare time in Hollywood inventing new technology. She had stored away knowledge of munitions while married to Austrian arms dealer, Fritz Mandl. She employed this knowledge to support the US Navy’s war effort during WWII to stop German defences disrupting Allied torpedo attacks by inventing The Secret Communication System with composer George Antheil. Also known as Frequency-Hopping Spread Spectrum Technology, her invention is used today in cell phones, Wi-Fi, CDMA, GPS, and Bluetooth. 

Having studied Astrophysics with dreams of becoming an astronaut before studying Theatre Arts, Heather Massie marries her loves of art and science in the person of Hedy Lamarr. Portraying 36 characters in this solo play, Massie enchants the audience as Hedy Lamarr, along with Jimmy Stewart, Bette Davis, Louis B Mayer, and more! Hedy is summoned to unearth the truth behind how a glamorous actress could create an invention which launched today's wireless technology revolution! 

The show premiered Off Broadway in 2016 on Theatre Row, and has since toured throughout the United States, Canada, Ireland, Northern Ireland, Italy, Sweden, Finland, Ukraine, Iceland, Zimbabwe, Zambia, South Africa, Egypt, Tunisia, Algeria, and Kosovo garnering 29 awards and critical acclaim. Written and performed by Fulbright Specialist Heather Massie, its mission is to inspire audiences to pursue their passions, especially to encourage young women in science and technology, and to establish Hedy Lamarr as a role model for intelligence, ingenuity, and invention.

"In Lily Tomlin-esque fashion … Massie channels the iconic star … vividly yet matter-of-factly, and often very humorously … In a balance of high energy and poise, Heather Massie is no less than captivating.”
Jed Ryan - The Huffington Post  

"If any woman in history deserves a one-woman tribute show it’s Hedy Lamarr and if any actress is worthy of playing her it’s the exceptionally talented Heather Massie."
Raychel Harvey-Jones - MD Theatre Guide

Download The Program

Artistic Team
Writer, Producer, Solo Performer  -  Heather Massie
Direction  -  Blake Walton & Leslie Kincaid Burby
Projection Design -  Jim Marlowe & Charles Marlowe
Sound Design  -  Jacob Subotnick & Andy Evan Cohen

Lend an Ear: Fuzzy Logic Science Show | Living Arts Canberra
Read More: The Canberra Times | Street Talk | City News

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Street One | Reserved | Duration 90 minutes
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Inspiring a new generation
Post Show Conversation  - 30mins

Join a panel of outstanding women in STEM for a lively after-show conversation delving into the intentions and themes of the play HEDY! The Life & Inventions of Hedy Lamarr. From Hollywood glamour and science storytelling to celebrating role models and encouraging young women to pursue their passions, the discussion promises to be fast, focused and fun. Panellists include award-winning playwright and actor Heather Massie, ACT Scientist of the Year, Associate Professor Aparna Lal, Dr Bianca Capra, aerospace engineer and STEM superstar and facilitator Dr Bobby Cerini, General Manager of Science and Learning, Questacon.