Presented by: Red Phoenix Theatre Inc.
Reviewed: 22 May, 2026
Following their successful season of Promenade of Shorts, Red Phoenix Theatre has once again proven why they are one of Adelaide’s leading theatrical production companies. Machinal, their first full-length production for 2026 at their new home, Goodwood Theatre and Studios, is as thought-provoking as it is obscure.
Written by American playwright Sophie Treadwell in 1928 this Red Phoenix production is the first time Machinal has been performed in South Australia. The play is reported to be inspired by the real-life conviction and execution of Ruth Snyder and is considered one of the high points of expressionist theatre. It follows the story of a young woman who works as a stenographer and lives with her mother. She follows the expected norms that society demands of a woman, regardless of how she personally feels about them, and marries her boss whom she despises and has a baby. The play follows her through the rest of her life and the consequences resulting from the choices she makes.
Director Michael Eustice, along with Movement Director Lisa Lanzi, should be commended for the exemplary work and detail put into the staging of Machinal. Approaching the script with a firm vision of expressionist theatre, every detail has been carefully considered. From the repetition of lines in the dialogue to every ensemble member’s sharp, exaggerated repetition of movements in the background, it provides a rich and deep foundation for Treadwell’s script.
Machinal is a true ensemble piece with the majority of the cast slipping in and out of minor roles like clockwork. Their background work is extremely impressive. When you assemble performers such as Trevor Anderson, James Grosser, Lisa Lanzi, Laura Antoniazzi, Sophie Livingston-Pearce, Stuart Pearce, Leighton Vogt, Sharon Malujlo, Nic Betts and Steve Marvanek—all incredible performers in their own right—you know you are onto a winning formula.
At the helm of Machinal is the talented Kate van der Horst. Her performance as the central character, Young Woman, is incredible to witness. It is tightly controlled and she develops her character arc in such a way that she pulls the audience into her every emotion and every thought process.
As Jones, the husband of the Young Woman, Matt Houston gives a performance you love to hate right from the first moment we meet him. From his sly, creepy smiles to the pace and pitch of dialogue delivery, Houston sends shivers down your spine.
Supporting Machinal is a wonderful team of behind-the-scenes creatives who have worked tirelessly to enhance the performance. Sean Smith’s sound design is one of the best this reviewer has heard in community theatre for a long time. From the simple ticking of a clock to the mechanical noises used throughout scene changes, so much detail has gone into adding this aural element to the production. Richard Parkhill’s lighting design is up to the usual high standard of this skilled lighting designer. Kate Prescott and Michael Eustice’s set design demonstrates that less really is more, and it is surprisingly effective. The simple use of dropped white fabric toward the rear of the stage to catch lighting and several different-sized drama blocks is all that is needed to transport the audience to multiple settings.
Running until 30th May, Machinal is a unique production staged in a truly creative way and deserves full houses. It will challenge you to think about the themes explored long after leaving the theatre.
Reviewed by Ben Stefanoff
Venue: Goodwood Theatre and Studios
Season: Until 30th May 2026
Duration: 2.5hours (including a 20minute intermission)
Tickets: $23.00 – $29.00 (plus booking fee)
Bookings: https://www.trybooking.com/DCUKY
Goodwood Theatre and Studios, James Grosser, Kate Prescott, Kate van der Horst, Laura Antoniazzi, Leighton Vogt, Lisa Lanzi, Matt Houston, Michael Eustice, Nic Betts, Red Phoenix Theatre Inc, Richard Parkhill, Sean Smith, Sharon Malujlo, Sophie Livingston-Pearce, Steve Marvanek, Stuart Pearce, Trevor Anderson
