RAVE reviews have followed the production of ‘Equus’ by London Classic Theatre which arrives at Belltable from Thursday April 19 to Saturday 21.
It’s a grim tale that works an allegory with Greek mythology into an act of astonishing, inexplicable violence.
In a Hampshire stable, a youth blinds six horses with a hoof pick. The boy, Alan Strang, feels himself to be a self-created god, the Equus of the play’s title and is deemed to be afflicted by religious megalomania. He seems oblivious to the horror of his act, lost in an internal world in which he has supreme power.
“Convicted of this appalling crime, 17year-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 gradually gains Alan’s trust and the truth begins to emerge. As Alan struggles to be free of his demons, he must first relive the events of that terrible night”.
Playwright Peter Shaffer’s story is based on a true story and we are told: “This unique psychological thriller explores the complex relationships between worship, myth and sexuality”.
‘Equus’ was originally staged in 1973 at the Royal National Theatre, London and in 1977, a film of the play was released starring Richard Burton and Peter Firth. ‘Equus’ won the Tony Award and New York Critics Circle Award for Best New Play in 1977 and came to attention again a couple of years ago as actor Daniel Radcliff’s first outing into adult drama on stage.
