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Equus:
A Masterpiece of Contemporary Theatre
| FROM ISSUE # 171 (March 2010) | IN THIS ISSUE | |||
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One of the most powerful and heavy plays, Peter Shaffer created Equus in 1973. 
It's the story of a psychiatrist trying to uncover the reasons behind why Alan Strang, a 17-year-old boy, blinded 6 horses with a metal spike - this kind of crime is beyond anything and totally unheard of. It has shattered the stillness of society, and to fix it right Dr. Martin Dysart goes deep into Alan's mind, a young boy who has a pathological religious/sexual fascination with horses. The conclusion he comes up with is the most important part of the play. Once you grasp it, you understand humanity as a whole.
Shaffer got his idea for Equus, when he heard of a real life crime, involving a 17-year-old boy who blinded six horses in a small town near London. The curiosity as to why the boy committed such a brutal act greatly inspired Shaffer to write the play. Shaffer's offering, is a result of his imagination and interpretation of the crime.
Sex and religion are two major themes of this play, which go hand in hand. Much of the conflict arises from the protagonist Alan Strang not being able to separate these two ideas. Another recurring theme in this play is the conflict between social norms and one's personal gratification.
Its complexity makes it difficult to understand it in the first reading. It takes quite some time before you completely soak yourself into the world of Equus.
Despite the stories controversial nature, Equus has withstood the test of time. It's production has been revived in all parts of the world, most recently Daniel Radcliffe (Harry Potter), made his Broadway debut in 2007 in which he bared it all to perfect his role as the psychosexually disturbed Alan Strang.
All in all, Equus is one of the masterpieces of contemporary theatre.
Duksangh Sherpa