Ahmed Ismail El Hoofy 016152095 Theater113 Professor Tom Trudgeon Section 13 INTRODUCTION TO ACTING THEA-(113) Essay-(1) The Machinal Name: AHMED ISMAIL EL-HOFFY. ID.: 016152095. Submitted to: Professor Tom Trudgeon. The Machinal. When I first heard the name of the play, I thought that it would be related to something about cars, machines or even any mechanical devices because of the name. After that, I googled it and read some topics about the play and the playwright. I found too many interesting information. Firstly, I found that it’s a 1928 play which is written by the American playwright and the journalist Sophie Treadwell. Added to this, it’s inspired by true events from the life of the convicted and executed murderer Ruth Snyder. It’s obvious that this wonderful play is considered one of the most highpoints plays on the American stage till now and it will continue at this honorable spot for a very long time. I liked the paly and it left an awesome feeling inside me. The Theater was astonishing. It was huge, very organized and amazing. If I continue to say my opinion about the theater and the play, it will take a very long time because I really loved both of them. Now I’m going to talk emotionally about the play. To be honest, at the beginning the play was a little bit boring and the events were too slow due to that Helen is fighting and struggling everything around her but after a while the main picture became clear and the theme of the play became obvious which touched me from inside. the play made me felt sorry for Helen because no one was thinking about what she wants, all of them were caring about their own benefits only even her own mother and her boss who she married. I think that the main theme of the play is telling the audience with a expressionism way how the main character (Helen) feels about her life and how she fights and struggles to reach her own satisfaction and comfort although all of the circumstances that is facing her and standing as a barrier between her and her goals in life. That is the big picture of the play. Let’s go ahead and talk about the actor’s performance. Firstly, the actress who played the character of Helen jones. She was one of the best actresses that I ever saw on stage, she was very convincing and showed the audience the real feeling that Helen feels and she was really feeling the character as it were her for real! I liked her way of acting too much and she is a wonderful actress. The Boss (George h. Jones) was very amazing too and was personalizing the character in a very good way. The mum, lover and even the secondary characters were very good too and they did a very good show. On the other hand, the relationships that the actors created were so believable. th.

1. Ahmed Ismail El Hoofy 016152095
Theater113
Professor Tom Trudgeon
Section 13
INTRODUCTION TO ACTING
THEA-(113)
Essay-(1)
The Machinal
Name: AHMED ISMAIL EL-HOFFY.
ID.: 016152095.
Submitted to: Professor Tom Trudgeon.
The Machinal. When I first heard the name of the play, I
thought that it would be related to something about cars,
machines or even any mechanical devices because of the name.
After that, I googled it and read some topics about the play and
the playwright. I found too many interesting information.
Firstly, I found that it’s a 1928 play which is written by the
American playwright and the journalist Sophie Treadwell.
Added to this, it’s inspired by true events from the life of the
convicted and executed murderer Ruth Snyder. It’s obvious that

2. this wonderful play is considered one of the most highpoints
plays on the American stage till now and it will continue at this
honorable spot for a very long time. I liked the paly and it left
an awesome feeling inside me. The Theater was astonishing. It
was huge, very organized and amazing. If I continue to say my
opinion about the theater and the play, it will take a very long
time because I really loved both of them.
Now I’m going to talk emotionally about the play. To be honest,
at the beginning the play was a little bit boring and the events
were too slow due to that Helen is fighting and struggling
everything around her but after a while the main picture became
clear and the theme of the play became obvious which touched
me from inside. the play made me felt sorry for Helen because
no one was thinking about what she wants, all of them were
caring about their own benefits only even her own mother and
her boss who she married. I think that the main theme of the
play is telling the audience with a expressionism way how the
main character (Helen) feels about her life and how she fights
and struggles to reach her own satisfaction and comfort
although all of the circumstances that is facing her and standing
as a barrier between her and her goals in life. That is the big
picture of the play.
Let’s go ahead and talk about the actor’s performance.
Firstly, the actress who played the character of Helen jones. She
was one of the best actresses that I ever saw on stage, she was
very convincing and showed the audience the real feeling that
Helen feels and she was really feeling the character as it were
her for real! I liked her way of acting too much and she is a
wonderful actress. The Boss (George h. Jones) was very
amazing too and was personalizing the character in a very good
way. The mum, lover and even the secondary characters were
very good too and they did a very good show. On the other
hand, the relationships that the actors created were so
believable. they made these relationships real in a such an
extraordinary way. Especially, the relationship between Helen
and her husband (George), the relationship between Helen and

3. her lover (Richard Roe) and the relationship between Helen and
her mother.
It is so important to mention the technical elements, the
direction and the design way of the play. plus, the sound and the
lighting system. First of all, the direction was brilliant and
amazing. All of these amazing scenes are because of the
director (Julianne Just) who did a great job in making this play
be in this astonishing way. Additionally, the elements which are
used are very simple but they are used in a way that is very
efficient and effective. Plus, the costume designs which are
awesome and attractive. Two of the most important things are
the sound and the lighting system which were extraordinary and
were done in such a professional way that made the audience
live the scenes with the actors.
Finally, in order to sum up my point of view about the play
I have to say that this is one of the best plays I have ever seen
on stage even here or in my home country Egypt because of the
message that delivers to the audience and the amazing actors
who performed the show. I was very happy to attend such an
awesome play and I felt that I was living the scenes with them.
especially, the sad ones when Helen was crying and was in
grieve. An amazing experience and unforgettable one!
Ahmed Ismail El Hoofy 016152095
Theater113
Professor Tom Trudgeon
Section 13

4. INTRODUCTION TO ACTING
THEA-(113)
Essay-(2)
WOKE! A Revolutionary Cabaret
Name: AHMED ISMAIL EL-HOFFY.
ID.: 016152095.
Submitted to: Professor Tom Trudgeon.
WOKE! A Revolutionary Cabaret. This play is one of the
best plays I have ever watched on stage. I was surprised and
amazed from the very early beginning till the end of the show.
This awesome musical, entertaining and purposeful play is
devised by THE ENSAMBLE. Added to this, it’s also conceived
and directed by the talented director: Joanne Jordan. I loved the
songs, the transitions between the singers and their wonderful
way of telling their stories. The whole play was a part of an
amazing, decorated and designed piece of art. The theatre is not
that huge but the director took advantage that it was in a U
shape. So, she(the director) made the show simple and artistic.
The emotional part of the was very sensitive and filled of
deep feelings. It made me feel the misery, damage, wounds and
fracture souls of the people who are telling their stories in such
an extraordinary way. The start of the play was catchy! “LES
MISERABLES” oh my god! that song is one of the best or i
consider it the best Revolutionary song. The singers were very
believable and they sang with a high sense of tragedy. Each
song was very good and each single one has a purpose and is
performed not only with people who have nice voice but even

5. awesome gestures. I think that the theme part of the play is the
dreamers who are facing very hard time nowadays because they
are being forced to leave the country and how they are
struggling to have their rights and live a safe and good life in
this free country.
The actors were too gifted, talented and convincing. From
the very early beginning of the show till the end, I was
surprised with how they are so convincing and personalizing the
characters in such a believable way. The process of transition
and shifting the roles between the actors or the singers even the
technique the used to make the metal bars part of the show were
astonishing and very creative. All of these methods, materials,
procedures are very significant reasons that make the show very
successful. I liked how they switch their roles and how each
single actor tells a story in a very musical way and the variety
of languages used. Plus, there was an amazing sense of humor
that was add to the show to make it better. I liked the music
used, the voices of the actors and how they are so real and
living the characters in order to make the audience react with
them and that is what really happened.
Now it the time to talk about the technique elements,
Direction, Set Design, Costume Design, light and sound system.
First of all, I have to admit that there was a very creative and
artistic method used in the play which is the metal bars. These
metal bars made a very dramatically and significant atmosphere
in the theatre. The direction was charming and fascinating in
such a magical way. Additionally, the Costume Designs were
awesome. I think that all the costumes were picked in a very
reasonable and logical order. I liked the masks, the shoes, and
even the matching jackets and t-shirts. The sound and light
system are very professional and it was amazing. I think that it
is one of the best sound and light system used in a show that I
have watched!

6. To sum up, It’s important to say that this show is a very
purposeful and enthusiastic one that is delivering a very
important message to the world. This message was clearly
delivered and it touched every person of the audience. I am very
happy to watch such a wonderful and bravely show in a theater
that helps the people to know more about what is going on
around them.