‘Hedi’ tells the life story (and inventions!) of Hollywood actress Hedy Lamarr, ‘the most beautiful woman in the world’, written and performed by American actor Heather Massie. And a remarkable life it was, encompassing five tumultuous marriages during the golden age of Hollywood interspersed with an astonishing highly-technical invention during the Second World War,
a high-profile trial for shoplifting and interactions with most of the famous leading men of the era!
Some of the best true-life stories need no embellishment, and this really did have it all, from entrapment in an abusive marriage to the glamour of what was then considered the biggest film of all time (‘Sampson and Delilah’ 1948).
Heather Massie took on quite a challenge in condensing Lamarr’s remarkable life into just one and a quarter hour’s because this was a lot more than a simple narrative, fully conveying the emotional roller-coaster of Lamarr’s varied relationships, both professional and romantic. Massie stayed in character throughout the performance, speaking with Lamarr’s native Austrian accent whilst impressively switching into various American voices to convey conversations with a wide-range of famous actors and movie moguls. The physical countenance of the protagonist was conveyed with a glamorous period dress and an impressive diamond necklace with attention to detail in Lamarr’s appearance (including her trade-mark centre parting which caused a fashion stir at the time).
This was a powerful performance telling the story of a very public life but what really made the show stand out was the intensively personal touch which Massie gave in conveying the narrative. This included showing Lamarr in conversions with other characters interspersed with confiding to the audience her innermost feelings. In addition, the fourth wall was frequently broken, imaginatively used a device for progressing the story. For example, Lamarr famously used her high-profile position to charm rich men into buying war bonds to support American’s war effort and members of the audience found themselves becoming the subject of Lamarr’s enticements, which was both playful and dramatically powerful.
The stage comprised of various items of furniture (not surprisingly including a chaise longue), each of which was used creatively either as a device for conveying conversations or helping convey different moods. This gave the feeling of a very full show, leaving a lasting impression that you really had been in the company of one of Hollywood’s greatest yet most enigmatic stars.
The show has to date been performed in over 20 countries (with more performances in the planning) whilst collecting over thirty awards along the way.
If you get the chance to see Heather Massie perform ‘Hedy’, this really is a chance not to missed. This was a truly remarkable performance of a story that so deserved to be told, being so much more than the tale of a successful movie star. Lamarr suffered sexism and abuse not just in certain relationships but in the way a brilliant invention was held back due to male ego but her story is from first to last an object lesson in overcoming adversities. ‘Hedy’ is an inspirational story which will leave a lasting impression with everyone who has seen the show and Heather Massie has done full justice in the telling it, in a highly engaging and personal way.
Reviewer - John Waterhouse
On - 28.09.25
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