Machinal

★★★★★ “ONE OF THE GREAT THEATRE NIGHTS OF THE DECADE” WhatsOnStage

★★★★★ “Extraordinary, outstanding production. MAGNIFICENT” StageTalk Magazine

★★★★ “A MASTERPIECE” The Times

★★★★ “Rosie Sheehy cements her reputation as an astounding stage talent” Guardian

★★★★ "Rosie Sheehy is mesmerising. AN OUTSTANDING PRODUCTION" Daily Mail

★★★★ "Riveting" The Stage

★★★★ "Rosie Sheehy's bravura performance... the cast is first-rate... one of the best productions I've seen this year" Broadway World

Five time Olivier Award winning director Richard Jones brings Sophie Treadwell’s extraordinary epic masterpiece, based on the true story of the committal and execution of Ruth Snyder, to the intimate surrounding of the Ustinov Studio.

This provocative drama of the 1920s offers one of the greatest female roles in theatre – challenging, powerful, emotive and poignant – which has been portrayed by many renowned actresses of the British stage.

Machinal is based on a fascinating true story uncovered by Sophie Treadwell while working as a journalist in America between the wars. Among her assignments was the sensational case involving Ruth Snyder, who with her lover Judd Gray, had murdered her husband and been sent to the electric chair.

This fascinating case has inspired countless plays, movies, books and songs as diverse as Billy Wilder’s Double Indemnity, The Postman Always Rings Twice, William March’s The Bad Seeds and Guns’n’Roses Use Your Illusion albums.

Richard Jones has directed productions on some of London’s largest stages including the Coliseum and Royal Opera House. He now brings his unique talent for epic scale to the powerful intimacy of the Ustinov Studio, in what promises to be one of this year’s most memorable theatrical events.

Please note - this production features the use of strobe lighting

Age Guidance: 14+ (Contains adult themes)

Running time: Approx. 1 hour 50 mins with no interval