Equus, Durham Gala Theatre (From The Northern Echo)

Equus, Durham Gala Theatre

3:52pm Monday 12th September 2011 in Theatre By Viv Hardwick

THE latest touring version of Peter Shaffer’s controversial play was given extra impetus by London Classic Theatre rehearsals taking place near burnt-out Clapham High Street, during the London riots last month.

The tale, based on the reallife blinding of six horses with a metal spike by a 17-year-old in the early Seventies, examines the world of disaffected youth.

Director Michael Cabot keeps his nicely-balanced cast in full view of the audience throughout, ensuring a busy feel about the production.

However, I was a little anxious when the “stone circle” set was, at times, flicked one-handed into new positions for sets depicting office, hospital, home and stable, which rather undermined its sturdiness.

Malcolm James is an impressive Martin Dysart, the child psychiatrist, who ends up admiring the horse-god passion of young Alan Strang (Matthew Pattimore with a strong line in surly), who has committed a horrendous crime.

Strang’s guilt-ridden parents, Frank and Dora, allow Steve Dineen and Anna Kirke ample opportunity to explore their acting muscles. Carol Dance impresses as magistrate Hesther Salomon, the only person who doesn’t want to stick Alan in prison and throw away the key.

The eerie horse heads (the main wearer being Aidan Downing as Nugget) are a tribute to prop makers Karry Bradley, Julia Jeulin and Fiona Gourlay. Helen Phillips (as stablegirl Jill and Nurse), and Pattimore get through the second half nude love scene without frightening the horses.

I’m not entirely sure the play reaches the winning post in any better shape, shorn of a horse-powered soundtrack to create the atmosphere of the stable where Alan substitutes Equus for Christ.