“Machinal” looks at the gender roles that society defines for us.
It’s pronounced Ma-Kin-All actually, not Machine-All. But Sophie Treadwell’s expressionist feminist piece is indeed about machines, most specifically the one we all function in: society.
This 1920s play is just the start of Theatre Fairfield’s explosive season. Under the direction of Fairfield’s own Martha LoMonaco, this dynamite cast, containing members from each of the four representing classes, is able to communicate the pressures and struggles that the “Everywoman,” and frankly, “Everyman,” experiences. Machinal is also being performed in collaboration with women’s rights advocates Project Peg, a group that addresses many current issues including debunking the societal myth — that man and women have ascribed roles to fulfill.
Machinal chronicles events within the life of Young Woman, played by junior Alexandra Burke, as she wrestles with fulfilling the role she is assigned. She is forced into a marriage because of money instead of love, is tyrannized by her controlling mother, and has a child whom she doesn’t want. With all of this, she is driven to madness. These events within her life are chronicled through nine major scene changes. One of the most riveting parts of Machinal is where Young Woman accompanies a friend to a speak-easy where she meets Lover (played by senior Jeremy Shea). Using him, she is able to find a means to partially escape her life filled with lunacy.
Burke takes on a challenging role and is present on stage for almost the entirety of the show. Audience members will witness her exasperation through expressionistic monologues as she tries to break free from where she is, literally, caged in. See the set and you’ll understand.
“My character Helen — Young Woman — is trying to survive the only way she knows how, but unfortunately, her way doesn’t suit the world,” Burke said in a press release.
“She becomes psychologically desperate because what makes her feel free is perceived as sinful,” Gabrielle Brygider ’10, an active member within Project Peg and playing the role of Nurse, states concerning Young Woman.
It is not just Burke, however, who takes on such a demanding role. The cast of 14 each play multiple roles displaying their versatility as actors. This director decision is extremely effective because of its support with the driving theme of the play — fulfilling roles in society, which is coincidentally how they are identified in the playbill: Matron, Stenographer, Priest, Lover … Having the overlap of actors and characters is incredibly effective in drawing the audience into to the performance even more.
I highly recommend that you find an evening to go see this production. This play is captivating by the most unlikely subject matter. All elements of theatre have been gelled together for a most thought-provoking and entertaining evening.
Machinal opens Wednesday, Oct. 28 and runs through Nov. 1 at the Wien Experimental Black Box Theatre located in the Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts. Showings are at 8:00 p.m. from Wednesday to Saturday along with 2:00 p.m. matinees on Saturday and Sunday.
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