Equus 9/6

[WhizzerMarvin]

Posted: 9/7/08 at 12:49am

**Possible spoilers**
I just got back from the second preview of Equus and thought I'd share some thoughts (unfortunately they won't be quite so raving as WAT!!).

That said, I did like the production, I just didn't love the material as much as I wanted to. I absolutely loved the direction, sets and lighting. There was a very smooth flow to the production, which is no easy task considering there are frequent jumps in scene and time. Thea Sharrock really juggled it all very well.

The horses looked incredible and moved in unison very well. All of their scenes were effective, and at times somewhat frightening. I kept trying to figure out which on was Spencer Liff, but from the Mezz it was impossible to tell. Which is also a compliment to the actors that they really were moving as a cohesive unit.

For the standout acting award needs to go to Kate Mulgrew. She was absolutely phenomenal. I was always sad when she left the stage, and really hung on her every word. Truly a great performance in a supporting role.

Richard Griffiths was fairly good. His long bits of narration were competently delivered. Ultimately though, I wish I cared more for his character and the inner demons he faced. I think this is more the fault of the play than his acting though.

Daniel Radcliffe did a pretty good job, although I found his part to be kind of one dimensional. Daniel seemed to bark out his yes and no answers or "Your turn!!" in the same manner throughout. So much yelling! Perhaps he could have added a few different layers to the character, but what do I know?

Carolyn McCormick was quite good as the mom, and her second act monologue about Alan simply being the devil inside was especially poignant.

My biggest disappointment was with the play itself. I think the dialogue is well constructed, it just doesn't resonate at all with me. Of course this is just my opinion, but it didn't say anything to me.

I couldn't relate to the material or characters at all, so instead of feeling anything for them the whole show was just a cold sterile experience for me. I tried to start comparing Alan's forbidden sexual desire for the horses to the forbidden sexual homosexual desires I grew up with, but quickly put an end to this line of thinking. This wasn't a "gay" show. The message wasn't who cares what society thinks, follow your heart!

Perhaps if Daniel had added some more layers to his character I would have been a little more sensitive to his plight, but as the production stands now I simply thought, "Well, you're all miserable, suffering and I don't care."

Updated On: 9/7/08 at 12:49 AM

[broadwayfan7]

Posted: 9/7/08 at 12:14pm

Thanks for your review!