Equus

Equus by Peter Shaffer received a well publicised revival last year when Harry Potter stars Richard Griffiths, and the young wizard himself, Daniel Radcliffe played the leads.

Playing Alan Strang meant that Radcliffe had to spend the last ten minutes of the play naked, which again caused much publicity. This year the same two leads set off for a Broadway production while a national tour of Equus is launched.

On tour we have Simon Callow (last seen at the Theatre Royal in Present Laughter) as Dysart and Alfie Allen(Atonement and The Other Boleyn Girl)  as Strang.

Shaffer (Amadeus, Royal Hunt of the Sun and Lettice and Loveage) had heard of a terrible act that had happened at stables purely by chance. It was so terrible that the local magistrate had been deeply shocked and there could be no reasonable justification for the crime. Shaffer was never able to verify the details, but it had made such an impression on him that the idea for Equus was born.

The play told in flashback from the view point of the psychiatrist (Dysart) who has been asked by the local magistrate Hester Salamon, played by Linda Thorson  (Emmerdale and The Avengers)to review the case of Alan Strang. Reluctant to begin with Dysart soon becomes fascinated by Strang, who at first will only answer the questions by playing games and singing the tunes to commercials. All we know that Strang has blinded six horses but we are taken on a journey with Dysart to discover why.

The basic set, by John Napier is functional with four blocks being moved around a platform, to convey, the family living room, stables, open fields and Dysarts office. Lighting Designer, Dave Hersey brings the set and scenes alive and at times the sight and sounds of the horses is unsettling to watch, while at the same time being first class theatre.

The action switches from Dysarts Office to Alans home, as Dysart starts to uncover his past. But it is when we learn he has been secretly riding during the night at the stables that the terrible truth starts to reveal itself.

Callow, unfortunately, does not fair too well in the role of Dysart, he is more suited to the works of Noel Coward and fails to get under the skin of Dysart. His opening and closing speeches seem detached and it is not until he is playing opposite Strangs Mother Dora ( Helen Anderson grabs this role with both hands and never lets go)that his character has any light and shade.

Alfie Allen on the other hand gives the role of demented Alan Strang  an unnerving edge, which the part demands.

While this play will always be associated with the nudity aspect,  there is a thought provoking play at the heart of the production which director Thea Sharrock has presented in clear and concise manner.

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