YOUNG people are getting the chance to see a play about a controversial figure who spent time on Portland.

As reported, local theatre company AsOne has produced a play about women's rights and birth control pioneer Marie Stopes thanks to funding from the Arts Council. The funding has also helped to create a community project where actors have worked with residents and schoolchildren.

The play, Escaping the Storm, focuses on Dr Stopes' time on Portland – the scientist bought the Old Higher Lighthouse in 1923 and later founded the Portland Museum. She continued to visit the island up until 1957, the year before she died. Her ashes were scattered off Portland Bill.

Following its premiere on Portland last autumn the play has been on tour around the region.

The final date this Thursday sees the cast return home, performing at Weymouth Pavilion.

Many local secondary school students will be among the audience after Weymouth and Portland Borough Council provided funding enabling 150 pupils to see it.

Artistic Director of AsOne Jane McKell said: “It’s the first play ever about Dr Marie Stopes.

"We just had to research and commission a play about such a fascinating, formidable, complex and controversial woman. We are very proud of this play, and the reaction to it.”

She described Dr Stopes as a 'woman before her time' – a first female graduate scientist and professor, a passionate women's activist, promoter of birth control and sexual enjoyment with her book ‘Married Love’. In fact the play marks 100 years from the publication of Married Love, selected by Melvyn Bragg as one of '12 Books that Changed the World'.

Dr Stopes was the leading instigator of the Sex Disqualification Removal Act in 1919 and a member of The Eugenics Society but was also a 'romantic and creative', writing and publishing poetry as well as books, plays and even a film script.

There's a last chance to see Escaping the Storm at Weymouth Pavilion this Thursday, February 14 at 7.30pm. Contact the venue for tickets.

There will also be a post-show Q&A with the actors and creative team.