THE life story of a Dorset woman who broke the mould is the subject of the next play to be performed by Weymouth-based AsOne Theatre Company.

It is said that struck by lightning as a baby, 19th-century fossil hunter Mary Anning was destined to be special and went on to rock the world of men, science and belief.

A rehearsed reading of AsOne’s latest play, The Cabinet Maker’s Daughter, is at the Dorset County Museum on March 23, after which the audience will have the opportunity to talk to the play’s creative team and give feedback. This will then be used to polish the play before it goes on tour.

AsOne artistic director, Jane Mckell said: “The Cabinet Maker’s Daughter is a remarkable story of early 19th-century dinosaur discovery, achievement, sacrifice and love.

“It came about after a chance encounter with Tracy Chevalier’s book Remarkable Creatures. I rang Tracy and after sharing enthusiasm for Mary Anning she supportively gave AsOne the rights to adapt her book. However, an Australian Film Company consequently bought the rights and would not let us adapt the book as a play to tour during the Cultural Olympiad.

“Their film is yet to be made but here we are with a top playwright, Peter John Cooper and his famous composer friend Roderick Skeaping underscoring our own, very different gothic story about Mary Anning.”

It is 1846 and Lyme Regis is battered by howling winter gales. Dying Mary Anning embarks on a strange dream journey through a life where she challenged the world of men and shook their beliefs to the core.

Jane added: “Peter Cooper has come up with something truly exceptional, and we’re genuinely excited as we gear up to produce this show.”

The fundraising rehearsed reading is at 7.30pm on Friday in Dorset County Museum, High West Street, Dorchester. Tickets available from the museum on 01305 262735.

Anyone who attends will be given a thank-you two-for-one voucher for the gala performance on July 7 at Weymouth Pavilion.