Equus: Horsing Around

[fflagg]

Posted: 9/10/08 at 12:29am

Well. . . this is a very talky play in that British way. The crowd was attentive and no cells went off although a few snuck pics before the show started.

The major plusses for the show are Griffiths and Radcliffe who form a wonderful acting partnership.

Unfortunately most else are negatives: some of the actors are good in broadly written parts [the parents, the stable girl] and some scenes are quite gripping.

The horse gimmick is just that: it is STOMP with gay Chelsea men in metal hoods. The so-called choreography is uninspired and the costumes do what they can. Spencer Liff, the dance captain, should be applauded for choosing this over the aborted BRIGADOON; however I am not sure what this does to his portfolio.

The big nono is the perf of Kate Mulgrew: phony and shrill from start to finish. She still sounds like Katharine Hepburn and her Brit accent is inconsistent. The most memorable thing about her perf is her bow at the end; you would think she had done MEDEA as Marian Seldes.

Seen in the audience: a perky Andrea Martin [can't she escape horses? :)], Zoe Caldwell, Nathan Lane and WASPy companion, and Moises Kaufman.

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 9/10/08 at 12:49am

I have a feeling you don't know this piece or how its meant to be performed but I at least agree that most of this production isn't very good.

[fflagg]

Posted: 9/10/08 at 8:10am

And I have a feeling you think you are mister know it all.

[songanddanceman2]

Posted: 9/10/08 at 8:41am

I agree with michael bennett, and statements like

"Well. . . this is a very talky play in that British way"

Kinda make me think you have no clue about this play

[Patash]

Posted: 9/10/08 at 8:49am

Yea. Don't you just hate these silly plays with "Horse gimmicks". Couldn't they afford real horses and do it right?
And that "so called Choreography". Couldn't they do a real tap number or maybe some Fosse moves?

Just curious -- have you ever seen "Clueless"? You might enjoy it.

[fflagg]

Posted: 9/10/08 at 11:51am

I do.

Please stop the attitude.

We are all entitled to our opinions on this board, pro and con. And it would be even nicer if we could share them without shade.