The court case at the time was huge news but the playwright goes beyond the court drama and exposes the lives of people; touching on many taboo subjects; abortion, speakeasys, divorce, homosexuality, affairs and abortion. The main theme of powerlessness for women runs throughout the play, as does the need to be loved and freedom to love.

Janette Evans – who has directed many successful TFT plays including Midlife Crisis, Lost + Found and The Last Secret – directs Machinal. Janette said,

“Machinal is an incredibly powerful play. Sophie Treadwell uses words in the production which are both beautiful and frightening, and there are situations which will resonate with people at different times on many levels. Although Treadwell wrote the play almost one hundred years ago, it has timeless themes and the characters are ordinary people who could be from any city in the world. The pace and syncopation of the words makes it at times seem almost musical.

“Whilst the play deals with a subject – the execution of a human being – which is obviously serious and sombre, there are moments of light relief during the play. What is more, the power of the story will keep you transfixed throughout”.

Titchfield Festival Theatre’s production of Machinal is performed in the Oak Theatre at the Titchfield Festival Theatre, Titchfield PO14 4BG on Wednesday 5 October to Saturday 15 October 2022. The shows start at 7.30pm.

For more information including booking tickets, please go to http://titchfieldfestivaltheatre.com/  or contact our Box Office on 0333 666 3366.