Cambridge's Fiery Ladies Light Up the Stage with Historic Musical Hits!

A new musical is coming to Cambridge, and it celebrates the story of the first all-women fire brigade, which was started by students at Girton College in the 19th century. Back then, women were not allowed to do many things that men could, including earning degrees at Cambridge University. Despite these challenges, a group of determined women led by Hertha Ayrton formed their own fire brigade. They trained regularly, used real fire-fighting equipment, and worked together to protect their college. Hertha Ayrton, who later became a famous scientist, was the leader of the group. She and her friends wanted to show that women could be just as capable as men, even in tough jobs like fighting fires.

The musical, called The Cambridge First All-Ladies Fire Brigade, will be performed at the Whipple Museum during the Open Cambridge event in September. This is the first time the songs from the musical will be heard in the city where the story actually happened. Helen Arney, who wrote the lyrics for the musical, said she was thrilled to finally bring the show to Cambridge. The Whipple Museum usually focuses on science and history, not music, but Alison Giles, the museum's learning coordinator, said they enjoy working with people who research women scientists. The museum is named after Robert Stewart Whipple, who donated a large collection of scientific instruments and rare books to the university. The musical also highlights four other pioneering women scientists who studied at Girton College, showing how they made important discoveries in astronomy, botany, and mathematics.

This year's Open Cambridge event is extra special because it marks 120 years since Hertha Ayrton received the Royal Society's Hughes Medal, a major science award. She was the only woman to win this medal in the entire 20th century. The event is called Making Marks, which is a play on Hertha's birth name, Phoebe Marks. Dr. Patricia Farra, an expert on Ayrton, will give a talk about her life, and there will be interactive activities for families. The museum does not have any of Ayrton's original scientific instruments because they were too dangerous, but it does have a fume cabinet used by another scientist featured in the musical. During the event, singer-songwriter Noa Shakhar will perform as Ayrton, with music by Girton graduate Felix Elliot. The musical tells the story of how these women challenged the rules of Victorian society and helped open doors for future generations. The event is supported by the University of Cambridge Museums and the Arts Council England Fund. The story of the Girton fire brigade is a powerful example of how women have fought for equality and made history.