Equus
Equus, written by Peter Shaffer in 1973, tells the story of a psychiatrist who attempts to treat a young man who has a pathological religious/sexual fascination with horses.
Although initially inspired by the true story of a 17-year-old who cruelly blinded six horses in a small town near London, Shaffer’s play incorporates deep religious and sexual themes. The enduring appeal of the play is largely due to its profound analysis of the timeless conflict between personal and societal values and boundaries. The action of Equus centers around child psychiatrist Dr. Martin Dysart’s efforts to understand the boy Alan Strang’s actions, while wrestling with his own sense of purpose.
In the 2008 Broadway revival supported by Elie Hirschfeld Productions, the role of Dr. Martin Dysart was reprised by Tony Award winner Richard Griffiths and Alan Strang was played by Daniel Radcliffe, with Thea Sharrock as director.
Equus Reviews
Richard Zoglin’s review in Time Magazine called the dance-like performances in Equus “both realistic and exotic, evoking the otherworldly power of the boy's obsession” while “the play's glibness melts before its arresting images; the climactic re-creation of the crime is a stunning coup-de-theater.”
In The New York Times, Ben Brantley recalled “Mr. Griffiths and Mr. Radcliffe… delivering utterly credible and often affecting performances,” and he “was always thoroughly engaged by their scenes together, which generate the genuine tension of clashing minds longing to meld.”
Chris Jones of The Chicago Tribune hailed Daniel Radcliffe’s Broadway debut as “fresh and moving.”
