Machinal (Royal National Theatre) [Paperback]

Sophie Treadwell (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback: 96 pages
• Publisher: Nick Hern Books (April 1, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1854592114
• ISBN-13: 978-1854592118
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.1 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #34,218 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #72 in Books > Literature & Fiction > Drama > British & Irish

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great show of American expressionism!, February 6, 2003

By 

C. Berchild "berch" (USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Machinal (Royal National Theatre) (Paperback)

Having taught this play a number of times at the college level, I find it one of the most accessable examples of expressionism available in print. It's great to read while watching a film like Metropolis (Fritz Lang's expressionist masterpiece). In reference to an earlier review, the play may seem simple and mundane, but when read in its historical context (and when seen in a brave production) it's what theatre is all about... engaging, moving, and socially/politically active. The fact that it's by a woman and about a woman, in a period dominated by the male perspective, simply makes it more fascinating.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Machinal is truly moving, May 13, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Machinal (Royal National Theatre) (Paperback)

Being a student who has performed, and read, this play I strongly suggest it to others. This play is more than a simple examination of the feminist mindset in modern day society, but further a question of not only capital punishment, but also the logic and reasoning behind the motive to take a person's life. The expressionistic stlye of this piece makes it a unique work of literature and also provides a forum for open discussion on the issues of womens rights and multiple other issues. In deed this masterfully written piece is worth the time of any person who enjoys a work that is not only unique but compelling in its telling of the tale of a machine like society. I hope everyone reads this play and thinks about not only their role in society, but within their relationships as well.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Feminist Play Ahead of its Time., December 30, 2005

By 

J. Marchese (San Diego, CA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Machinal (Royal National Theatre) (Paperback)

Having worked in the theatre, though I think more than that, being a fan of theatre and a student of literature, my take on reading plays is kind of odd. I usually dislike it. I have always felt that plays are meant to be seen and experienced. More to the point, the beauty of plays is the marriage of the playwright's vision with that of the director's and then watching this new product -- hey, let's go with the metaphor - this "baby" come into its own through the actors. Of course, when I do read a good play, I get to direct in my head and it's a totally different, yet enjoyable, experience in and of itself. I think this was a good play and I very much enjoyed reading it. This play, in particular, I found easy to read and while depressing, entertaining. It features some incredible insight to the nature and status of not only women in the 1920's, but the whole of the human condition. The main character, Helen or YOUNG WOMAN, is such a little mouse that it's a stretch to imagine her becoming so crazy with desperation that she'd jump from quivering wreck into an affair and then into murder. Young Woman's inner monologues, however, are fantastic and bridge the divide between who this character really is and whom she is forced to be. As far as reading the play, I would recommend it to anyone interested in expressionism or feminism.