A NEW play with Dorset connections shines the light on a controversial but important UK campaigner.

Escaping The Storm, highlights part of the life of birth control pioneer, Marie Stopes, where Portland became her retreat.

The play comes to Royal Manor Theatre, Portland, tomorrow, October 16.

AsOne theatre company’s artistic director, Jane McKell said it's important to share the story of Marie Stopes her iconic 20th century book.

She said: “Married Love was published in 1918 and quoted by Melvyn Bragg as ‘one of the 12 books that changed the world.’ It is such an influential book that brought the subject of birth control into the wider public space.”

“Portland became a refuge for Dr. Stopes away from the reaction of the Catholic Church. Her campaigning and approach is now recognised around the world with clinics named after her. Her original clinics were the first ever for all classes of women promoting — sexual health, and birth control.”

This is the very first play ever written about Marie Stopes. She was a Palae-botonist, biologist, Doctor of German Philosophy, first female Professor at Manchester University — and a member of the Eugenics movement

The play poses many questions highlights Jane, “Who is this formidable woman? What makes her who she is? How will she change the Islanders’ ways of thinking? How will she be changed by Portland?”

Escaping The Storm starts its tour during October and finishes in February 2019. This represents 23 venues in seven counties.

Also on the tour is a date at the Marine Theatre in Lyme Regis on Thursday, October 25, the Corn Exchange, Dorchester, on Wednesday, January 16 and Weymouth Pavilion on Thursday, February 14.

With a play on an influential British figurehead, what does Jane want audiences to take away? “We will take the audience to the settings of the Isle of Portland, and London to see characters on a journey during a span of 35 years.”

For tomorrow's performance on Portland, call 03336 663366 for tickets.