'Machinal' A Harrowing Drama coming to Playbox Theatre

Jennie Beattie plays the central role of ‘The Woman’ in Machinal. Photo courtesy of The Blue Rider Ensemble.

‘Machinal’ by Sophie Treadwell, presented by The Blue Rider Ensemble at Playbox Theatre, The Dream Factory, Warwick on 14 & 15 October 2024.

Preview

‘Machinal’ by Sophie Treadwell launches a new strand of work at Playbox Theatre this year. Inspired by the Blue Rider German expressionist group in the 1911 era the idea is for one ensemble to look at a selection of work through an expressionist lens.

This doesn't mean everything will have a similar ‘look’ or even style. The approach has been rather to draw together the values of the group led by Kandinsky and Munter applying the cross-fertilisation of styles, through rehearsal, to view what the outcome may be. There is a freedom to the creative process.

The original ‘Blue Riders’ defied social conventions in their works and searched through new forms of spirituality. The combination was of abstraction and realism.

MACHINAL: definition relating to machines, is expressionist in its episodic structure. Nine episodes following the journey of a sensitive and sheltered young woman who finds herself trapped by loneliness and restrictions in a male dominated society. Ultimately, she is swallowed by the machine of her world.

In Blue Rider Studio, the directness of telling and the intimacy of the space shared with the audience creates the expressionist perspective of the true story of New York housewife Ruth Snyder who, in spring 1927, was tried for the brutal murder of her husband.

The court case was a sensation. Packed galleries, long queues and dozens of reporters. Sophie Treadwell was in court and the play bears the stamp of authenticity.

The play caused a sensation. For us it has brought justice, feminism, society and punishment into the arena of debate.

Tickets are available from https://www.playboxtheatre.com/events/blue-rider-playbox-studio-season/