#1
Posted: 9/6/08 at 12:16am
Let me preface this review by saying that I was familiar with Peter Shaffer's play before I saw the performance this evening. I had read the play and seen the movie, both of which I was impressed with. I had read some of the rave reviews from London and I admire both Griffiths and Radcliffe as actors...needless to say, I had extremely high expectations for this production. I am proud to report that my expectations were exceeded...this play is absolutely brilliant...and it has a first-rate production to boot.
There is no show curtain, and when you walk into the theater, you see the six horse heads propped up on the six stables and four pillars in the center of the stage on top of another platform. Throughout the show, the four pillars are used as chairs, tables, beds, etc...they are periodically moved around by the actors during scenes. I was impressed by how "choreographed" the entire show had to be, even in the scenes without the six horses. The lighting was stunning, particularly in the final scenes in Act 1 and Act 2...WOW. There was also very effective use of a fog machine, which added to the atmosphere. I honestly don't think the production itself could have been any better.
The acting was excellent all around. Let me start with the horses (yes, Spencer Liff was one of them). They were all wearing horseshoe platform "shoes" that were made of metal. It must be hard to walk in those, but all six actors did a fabulous job. Other smaller roles included Lorenzo Pisoni as The Young Horseman & Nugget (who is extremely good looking by the way), Graeme Malcolm as Harry Dalton, and Sandra Shipley as the Nurse, all of which were wonderful.
Anna Camp played Jill Mason. I despised her in THE COUNTRY GIRL last season, but she was fine in this show (and yes, she is nude at the end as well with Radcliffe). I think her acting will improve as the run goes on, but she did a good job, especially for a first preview. T. Ryder Smith played the father Frank Strang and gave a wonderful performance, as did Carolyn McCormick as the mother Dora Strang. I loved their scene at the beach when Alan (Radcliffe) first sees a horse, and I also loved their individual scenes while speaking to Martin (Griffiths).
Kate Mulgrew as Hesther Saloman was fabulous. Her scenes with Griffiths were spot on. She had emotion and passion in her line deliveries, and I also noted that she has incredible diction. The scenes really came alive when she was on stage (not that any scene in this play was dead). I'm just saying, you noticed Kate when she was on stage...and that is a very good thing. Excellent casting. So impressive.
Daniel Radcliffe as Alan Strang. This is such a tough role for anyone to play. Alan has such psychological issues and to portray that on stage a couple times is difficult, let alone eight time a week. Daniel was perfect in the role. His facial expressions, line deliveries, interaction with Griffiths, his hand gestures, his intonation...wow. His scenes at the ends of Act 1 and Act 2 were bloody brilliant. I also have to give him credit for doing the nude scene at the end of the show. Being totally exposed on stage, for an extended period of time, in front of all those people must be so difficult, and he pulled it off brilliantly. He completely stayed in character the entire time and truly took the audience on this crazy journey with him. I admire him and am thrilled that he chose this play to make his Broadway debut.
Richard Griffiths as Martin Dysart. Perfection. I'm not sure there is anything else to say. He was Martin Dysart. Not only was he able to pull off being a psychiatrist, questioning Alan, questioning his parents, Hesther, etc. Through his interaction with others, he allowed the audience to psychologically evaluate him, which was so interesting. We found out little tidbits about his life, which you don't often get to delve into with psychiatrists...it is usually all about the patients. Griffiths even got applause after one of his lengthy monologues in Act 2, in talking to Hesther...well deserved too! I did not care for THE HISTORY BOYS at all, but his performance tonight was certainly Tony-worthy. Excellent job.
I also have to mention that the audience was EXTREMELY well-behaved (thank goodness). There was surprisingly no entrance applause for any of the actors, but the audience was into the play right from the start. The one hour and thirty minute first act seemed like 15 minutes to me. It flew by...and I attribute that to the real star of this play - Peter Shaffer. Not since DOUBT have I been so into a straight play, so moved. Every sentence, every word was brilliantly crafted and placed.
I can't believe I am about to say this, but EQUUS is worth every penny that they are charging for it. Not only are you getting to see an excellent play, but the acting in it is fantastic, and the set design and lighting are wonderful. Seeing EQUUS is what live theater is all about. I urge you all to go buy tickets for this show...you will not regret it.
There is no show curtain, and when you walk into the theater, you see the six horse heads propped up on the six stables and four pillars in the center of the stage on top of another platform. Throughout the show, the four pillars are used as chairs, tables, beds, etc...they are periodically moved around by the actors during scenes. I was impressed by how "choreographed" the entire show had to be, even in the scenes without the six horses. The lighting was stunning, particularly in the final scenes in Act 1 and Act 2...WOW. There was also very effective use of a fog machine, which added to the atmosphere. I honestly don't think the production itself could have been any better.
The acting was excellent all around. Let me start with the horses (yes, Spencer Liff was one of them). They were all wearing horseshoe platform "shoes" that were made of metal. It must be hard to walk in those, but all six actors did a fabulous job. Other smaller roles included Lorenzo Pisoni as The Young Horseman & Nugget (who is extremely good looking by the way), Graeme Malcolm as Harry Dalton, and Sandra Shipley as the Nurse, all of which were wonderful.
Anna Camp played Jill Mason. I despised her in THE COUNTRY GIRL last season, but she was fine in this show (and yes, she is nude at the end as well with Radcliffe). I think her acting will improve as the run goes on, but she did a good job, especially for a first preview. T. Ryder Smith played the father Frank Strang and gave a wonderful performance, as did Carolyn McCormick as the mother Dora Strang. I loved their scene at the beach when Alan (Radcliffe) first sees a horse, and I also loved their individual scenes while speaking to Martin (Griffiths).
Kate Mulgrew as Hesther Saloman was fabulous. Her scenes with Griffiths were spot on. She had emotion and passion in her line deliveries, and I also noted that she has incredible diction. The scenes really came alive when she was on stage (not that any scene in this play was dead). I'm just saying, you noticed Kate when she was on stage...and that is a very good thing. Excellent casting. So impressive.
Daniel Radcliffe as Alan Strang. This is such a tough role for anyone to play. Alan has such psychological issues and to portray that on stage a couple times is difficult, let alone eight time a week. Daniel was perfect in the role. His facial expressions, line deliveries, interaction with Griffiths, his hand gestures, his intonation...wow. His scenes at the ends of Act 1 and Act 2 were bloody brilliant. I also have to give him credit for doing the nude scene at the end of the show. Being totally exposed on stage, for an extended period of time, in front of all those people must be so difficult, and he pulled it off brilliantly. He completely stayed in character the entire time and truly took the audience on this crazy journey with him. I admire him and am thrilled that he chose this play to make his Broadway debut.
Richard Griffiths as Martin Dysart. Perfection. I'm not sure there is anything else to say. He was Martin Dysart. Not only was he able to pull off being a psychiatrist, questioning Alan, questioning his parents, Hesther, etc. Through his interaction with others, he allowed the audience to psychologically evaluate him, which was so interesting. We found out little tidbits about his life, which you don't often get to delve into with psychiatrists...it is usually all about the patients. Griffiths even got applause after one of his lengthy monologues in Act 2, in talking to Hesther...well deserved too! I did not care for THE HISTORY BOYS at all, but his performance tonight was certainly Tony-worthy. Excellent job.
I also have to mention that the audience was EXTREMELY well-behaved (thank goodness). There was surprisingly no entrance applause for any of the actors, but the audience was into the play right from the start. The one hour and thirty minute first act seemed like 15 minutes to me. It flew by...and I attribute that to the real star of this play - Peter Shaffer. Not since DOUBT have I been so into a straight play, so moved. Every sentence, every word was brilliantly crafted and placed.
I can't believe I am about to say this, but EQUUS is worth every penny that they are charging for it. Not only are you getting to see an excellent play, but the acting in it is fantastic, and the set design and lighting are wonderful. Seeing EQUUS is what live theater is all about. I urge you all to go buy tickets for this show...you will not regret it.
Updated On: 9/8/08 at 12:16 AM
