A new production of Sophie Treadwell's 1920s play, impressionist masterpiece 'Machinal', is on now at The Old Vic.
Imogen Daines has multiple major roles including 'Woman at Bar', 'Jailer' and 'Reporter' in the play which tells the true crime story of Ruth Snyder who in 1928 murdered her husband.
Rosie Sheehy plays the lead role of the unnamed 'Young Woman' who is pushed to breaking point by the relentless machinery of life, expectation and convention. Across nine scenes we see her fight with her joyless mother, marry her boss, have a baby, meet a lover, murder her husband, be put on trial, and then eventually placed into the chair for her crime.
Treadwell was present at Snyder's 1928 trial and wrote the play 6 months later in response to the inhumane reporting around the story which included a daily newspaper publishing a photo of her execution (by electric chair).
This production was formerly staged at the end of 2023 at Bath's Theatre Royal and now transfers to The Old Vic until 1st June 2024. The Old Vic’s artistic director, Matthew Warchus, said “I was one of the few lucky enough to catch this show in Bath and to say I was completely blown away is an understatement. Featuring the entire original cast, I predict this unforgettable production will be a major theatrical highlight of 2024. Get tickets while you can." It is directed by multiple Olivier Award winning director Richard Jones.
Reviews have been outstanding
★★★★★ "One of the great theatre nights of the decade" - What's On Stage
★★★★★ "Astonishing" - Time Out
★★★★ "Mesmerising" - The Daily Mail
★★★★ - "Horrific. And brilliant" - The FT
Book tickets and watch the trailer.
Imogen Daines is available for voiceovers from Anthea Represents. Click her image for her profile page and voiceover showreel.
