Annie Ho

Machinal is an expressionist play inspired by the true story of Ruth Snyder that explores the insanity to which a woman is driven by the mechanically oppressive world. The progression of this young woman’s life is restricted, solely dependent on the demand of the industrial and capitalist society.

The set design is an abstract response and a metaphor for the mechanised world in the 1920s. The theme of a mechanical world is present- ed through an automated stage design utilising automated trucks on tracks and a revolving stage. Nine metal panels are mounted into three semicircular tracks in different configurations to illustrate different episode. The cold and dangerous nature of the metal blinds serves as a series of doors where opportunities are being gradually shut down. The final enclosure in the last episode corresponds to the end of the young woman’s journey where opportunities in this impersonal, and oppressive society have run out.

Sound is an essential element in Treadwell’s play. The constant presence of mechanical sounds shapes the society in a repetitive and anxious way. To let the momentum moving throughout the play, nine soundtracks with the length of a minute each will play in between each transition of the automating stage.