Machinal

Bristol School of Acting are bringing Machinal to Bristol Old Vic from 19 to 21 November, a three-night run in The Weston Studio. It's a production of Sophie Treadwell's play, staged by the school as part of their work this year.

If you're not familiar with the play, Machinal is a piece of early twentieth-century American drama, first produced in 1928. Treadwell wrote it in a distinctive, fragmented style that's meant to mirror the internal state of the main character—a woman who feels trapped by the social and domestic expectations placed on her. It's a play that leans into that feeling of being boxed in, and seeing it come from a drama school adds another layer to it, as it's the students themselves taking it on.

Because it's a student production, it's a good chance to see the next generation of actors working through a challenging text. Treadwell's writing is quite specific, and the play is known for how it handles a character's inner world, so it's the kind of thing that usually gives a young cast plenty to sink their teeth into. The run is short—just the three nights—so if you're planning to go, you'll want to pick your evening early.

It's playing in The Weston Studio, one of the smaller spaces at Bristol Old Vic, which puts you closer to the action than the main house. The dates are 19, 20, and 21 November, and since it's a student production, it's a more accessible way to get a night of theatre in the city. If you've been following the school's work, this is their latest outing on the Old Vic's stages.