The Old Vic in London and Theatre Royal Bath have announced the London premiere of Sophie Treadwell’s Machinal, directed by Olivier Award-winner Richard Jones (Endgame, The Hairy Ape).
The production will star Rosie Sheehy (Oleanna, Romeo and Julie), who reprises her critically acclaimed role from the Ustinov Studio production at Theatre Royal Bath. Rosie was recently featured in The Stage 100 Rising Stars list 2024.
Machinal will run at The Old Vic from 11 April to 1 June 2024.
The cast also includes Daniel Abelson, Sam Alexander, Steven Beard, Daniel Bowerbank,Imogen Daines, Buffy Davis, Tim Frances, Carla Harrison-Hodge, Emilio Iannucci, Pierro Niel-Mee and Wendy Nottingham, with further cast to be announced.
Joining Richard Jones in the creative team are: Set by Hyemi Shin, Movement by Sarah Fahie, Costumes by Nicky Gillibrand, Lighting by Adam Silverman, Sound by Benjamin Grant, and Casting by Ginny Schiller CDG
Machinal is based on the sensational true story of Ruth Snyder, which Sophie Treadwell covered as a journalist in 1928. Sentenced to death for murder, Ruth’s final moments in the electric chair were published on front pages across the American media.
The case went on to inspire Billy Wilder’s Double Indemnity, The Postman Always Rings Twice, William March’s The Bad Seeds and Guns ’n’ Roses Use Your Illusion albums.
The Old Vic Artistic Director Matthew Warchus said in a statement: “Once in a while a production or lead performance comes along which makes theatre history. Such is the case with Rosie Sheehy’s gobsmacking performance in Richard Jones’ unmissable production of Sophie Treadwell’s expressionist tour de force, Machinal. I was one of the few lucky enough to catch this show at Theatre Royal 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.”
Coming up next at The Old Vic is Just For One Day – The Live Aid Musical, which plays from 26 January to 30 March 2024.
Book tickets to Machinal at The Old Vic
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