This one act play, on last night and tonight, by the very talented Siobhan Nicolas at the Burton Taylor, is a compelling and imaginative drama of women astronomers and their place in the universe. It weaves together three interlocking stories: the neglected historic woman astronomer Caroline Herschel, who discovered 8 comets and devised astronomical catalogues; a contemporary woman scientist researching her predecessor, and her 18 year old daughter caught up in the Arab Spring in her gap year.

It's a gripping, complex narrative that is beautifully acted by the cast of three - the play's author Siobhan as Caroline, Chris Barnes deftly switching between his dual roles as her brother William Herschel and contemporary husband and Kathryn Pogson the radio astronomer trying to solve the mystery of Caroline's missing journal pages. The unfolding drama of Caroline's amazing life is mirrored in the dilemmas faced by a contemporary woman scientist as she tries to balance the pursuit of her passion and her duties as a wife and mother.

Learning about Caroline Herschel and her astonishing contribution to science is a revelation but it's also emotionally gripping, especially when interwoven with the scientist Cathy's frantic worry about her daughter's safety as she is swept along in world events. The fate of the characters is mirrored in the unfolding discoveries in the sky.

The play is well suited to the intimacy of the Burton Taylor and one is swept up in the emotional roller-coasters of the women separated by over two centuries. But it also ponders profound questions about balancing family life and pursuit of one's passion, our relationship with the cosmos and how we live with constraints in any age. A gem.