Fossil Mary - Elizabeth Blake talks about Mary Anning. With Brenda Longman. Artwork

Famous People You've Never Heard Of

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Famous People You've Never Heard Of

Fossil Mary - Elizabeth Blake talks about Mary Anning. With Brenda Longman.

July 01, 2026 • Blue Fire Theatre Company • Season 6 • Episode 50

0:00 | 25:31

Elizabeth Blake has written -and performs in "Fossil Mary", a new play celebrating the life and remarkable discoveries of Mary Anning, the pioneering fossil hunter who found her first dinosaur skeleton at the age of 12 and whose skills led to the discovery of nearly every important dinosaur fossil of the early 19th Century. Her work changed the way people thought about the evolution of life on earth but she was poor, working class and a woman, and men took the credit for her discoveries. However, in 2010 the Royal Society recognised her as one of the 10 most influential female scientists in British history.

In this episode Elizabeth chats to Lottie about Mary and the play. Our "last word" is from Brenda Longman, who directed "Fossil Mary".

The play started life at the Phoenix Arts Centre in Hampshire, where Elizabeth is an associate artist. The Phoenix champions new writing. Check out what they're up to here:
https://www.phoenixarts.co.uk/

Host: Lottie Walker

Guests: Elizabeth Blake & Brenda Longman

Voice of Father: Nicholas Lumley

Voice of Mother: Brenda Longman

Voice of Angry Woman: Sally McIlhone

Editor: Gordon Vowles

Music: Courtesy Pond 5

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