The Vast Machine
About the show
Axis Company presents the story of the surviving crew members of a beleaguered slave ship in 1823 facing certain disaster, as well as their consciences, as an Interceptor ship gives chase. More…
The story follows the lives of one crew who -- despite the ocean-going ban of slave trading in 1808 -- set sail towards Africa to capture human beings to bring back to the New World. However, after a failed insurrection of slaves, the crewman of the Perisher find themselves rapidly being wiped out by illness, accident and alcohol. When another ship appears on the distant horizon, will the crew find themselves saved by another slave ship or find themselves arrested by intercepting police fleets?
See it if you like male casts, no character development, lots of props, TONS of shouting, and good sound effects. Repeat: tons of shouting.
Don't see it if you want to be engaged and entertained. I kept checking the time every five minutes, there was no development at all.
See it if slave traders complaining about how slavery is hard for them sounds compelling. You enjoy stories where you're trapped with unlikable people
Don't see it if you value story/compelling characters. You would be offended by a story about slavery with one black character & unseen slaves. BAD acting
See it if The acting was terrible, the story pretty much indecipherable, and there was NO INTERMISSION, so no escape.
Don't see it if Just don't see it.
See it if you wouldn't mind watching a show with a cast that tries hard but doesn't make it.
Don't see it if you don't enjoy watching all types of theatre.
See it if intellectually stimulating and profoundly disturbing. I'm still processing this play. Each character is a mystery I still can't figure out.
Don't see it if There's no reason not to see this. It's why small off-Broadway theaters are so important. Nothing this deep could exist on B'way.
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