Equus

Synopsis

In a Hampshire stable, a youth blinds six horses with a metal spike. Convicted of this appalling crime, seventeen-year-old Alan Strang is sent to a secure psychiatric hospital. Martin Dysart, the child psychiatrist assigned to him, begins to probe Alan s past in an attempt to understand his motives. Initially the boy is silent and uncooperative, but as Dysart digs deeper, he begins to win Alan s trust and the truth gradually emerges. Finally, as Alan struggles to be free of his demons, he must relive the events of that terrible night. Inspired by a true story, Peter Shaffer's unique psychological thriller explores the complex relationships between worship, myth and sexuality. Equus contains strong language, adult themes and nudity. The play won both the Tony Award and New York Critics Circle Award for Best New Play in 1977.

Our Review:

5 October 2011

Equus was first produced in 1973 starring a young Peter Firth (now older and wiser in Spooks on BBC television) and was such a hit that it transferred to the West End and later made into a film. The play was recently revived in London and on Broadway with Daniel Radcliffe making his stage debut as Alan Strang.

Alan has blinded six horses and through a series of scenes the play traces what led to these attacks. The story unfolds with all the tension of a thriller, a sort of ‘whydunnit’, but there is far more depth to the play than this in Martin Dysart, the psychiatrist is forced to consider his own life. Is Alan Strang alive and well despite his cruel actions whereas he is living an arid life devoid of any passion - as the boy says “At least I galloped when did you?”

The set is stunning in its simplicity managing to combine all the intimacy required for this claustrophobic drama together with the majestic feel of Greek tragedy. Th...

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