Equus by Peter Shaffer is a fascinating exploration of a psychiatric aberration: the treatment by a psychiatrist of a boy who has blinded horses. It's a stunning production - a brilliantly done work of theatrical art with perfect, specific lighting by David Hersey on a great arena set, with the greatest costumes in town, all by John Napier, whose horse's heads and hooves are frighteningly dazzling.
The play has a stylized script, and is staged by director Thea Sharrock in a powerful stylized manner. The horse movements, with Lorenzo Pisoni as the major horse, designed by Fin Walker, are some of the best Mime in town. Richard Griffiths, a mountain of a man, as the sensitive, intuitive, knowledgeable psychiatrist, is the play's center, and he keeps it steady. Kate Mulgrew as his confidant is attractive and solid, as is the rest of the cast. Daniel Radcliffe as the boy is quite good - he is earnest, and willing to go all the way to the fullest of his capability, and Anna Camp as his almost seductress is a convincing lively sprite.
This production of Equus is one of the most brilliant pieces of theater, in both conception and execution, of our time.
Previews:
September 5, 2008
Opened:
September 25, 2008
Ended:
February 8, 2009
Country:
USA
State:
New York
City:
New York
Company/Producers:
The Shubert Organization, Elizabeth Ireland McCann, Roger Berlind, John Gore, Hirschfeld Productions, Bill Kenwright, Emily Fisher Landau, Arielle Tepper Madover, Peter May, Chase Mishkin, Spring Sirkin.
Theater Type:
Broadway
Theater:
Broadhurst Theater
Theater Address:
235 West 44th Street
Phone:
212-239-6200
Genre:
Drama
Director:
Thea Sharrock
Review:
Cast:
Daniel Radcliffe (Strang), Richard Griffiths (Dysart), Kate Mulgrew (Hester), Anna Camp, Carolyn McCormick, Lorenzo Pisoni, T. Ryder Smith, Graeme Malcolm, Sandra Shipley, Colin Baja, Tyrone Jackson, Spencer Liff, Adesolo Osakalumi, Marc Spaulding.
Technical:
Casting: Telsey + Co. Set: John Napier; Sound: Gregory Clarke; Lighting: David Hersey.
Critic:
Richmond Shepard
Date Reviewed:
October 2008
