Equus

Equus description

It's strange, disturbing, complex, and totally fascinating – This is Equus.

The magic of Equus lives on, this time on stage at the Menier Chocolate Factory to shock and delight audiences all over again. No wonder this brilliant 1973 play by Peter Shaffer never grows old.

The question is, what makes a teenager blind six horses? Psychiatrist Martin Dysart is faced with the challenge of finding out as he explores the psyche, spiritual life and religious obsessions of his seventeen year old patient Alan Strang. As it turns out Alan believes horses represent the god Equus, confusing his powerful love of horses with sexual attraction. As Alan's story, which spans the boundaries between madness and sanity, unfolds, questions arise about the cure. Will it be more dangerous than the crime?

Psychological conflict, the nature of insanity, cultural issues, questions about personal values compared with the expectations of society, and the nature of mental illness are the themes in this extraordinary piece of work, which was adapted into a hugely popular 1977 movie directed by Sidney Lumet.

Your director is the awesome Lindsay Posner (Amadeus), a West End legend in his own lifetime as well as director of operas and TV plays. This is a co-production with Theatre Royal Bath, where the production transfers after its stint in the capital.

It's no surprise that Peter Shaffer's intriguing, award-winning play is hailed as a modern masterpiece. Buy Equus tickets to see what all the fuss is about.

Playing at Menier Chocolate Factory

51 Southwark Street, London, SE1 1RU GB (venue info)

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Performance Times