Unstable
If you go:
What: ‘Equus’
Where: Black Box Theater at Syracuse Stage
When: Thursday-Saturday at 8 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday at 3 p.m.
How Much: Free
In the center of the completely black theater, the lead character in ‘Equus,’ Alan Strang, kneels completely exposed – well, he’s wearing only boxers. Emotionally wounded and broken down, Strang, played by senior acting major Stephen James, brings together the Black Box Players’ intense production.
Set in the present day, the play depicts the story of Strang, a 17-year-old boy who is driven to blind four horses for no apparent reason. The courts send him to a psychiatrist, rather than prison, to discover the cause of this rage.
‘Equus’ is a student-run production directed by senior acting major Rick Brown. Composed of 12 Syracuse University students, the cast puts on a wonderful and powerful performance, rivaling those of professional actors. The intensity of the show will haunt anyone – avid theatergoer or not.
The show, performed in the obscure Black Box Theater at Syracuse Stage, runs Thursday through Saturday with shows at 8 p.m., and two matinees Saturday and Sunday at 3 p.m.
During the course of the play, the search to find the root of Strang’s outbreak leads the doctor slated to treat him to probe into his own personal problems, in addition his patient’s. He must examine whether the pain of treating Strang is worth it in the end.
James fully embodies the nightmare-ridden Strang with the intensity and command of an actor that clearly knows his craft. When Strang is suffering, emotionally and physically, the pain reads on James’ face and in his muscles as if he was experiencing it as well. As his way of ending his career in SU drama, James could not have chosen a better final act.
The entire cast brings the play to life. Everything feels real. Every breath Strang takes, every explosion of rage from the doctor, Martin Dysart, played by senior acting major Drew Moerlein, doesn’t feel as though it is a performance. Each actor fully embodies his role, and the talent of the cast shows. This is acting at its very best.
In the first hour and a half, the truth about the title is revealed: Equus is Latin for horse, Strang’s obsession. His magnetic attraction to horses delights his religious mother and terrifies his workaholic father. As the story wares on, the scenes become more and more intense. A verbal battle of question and answer between Dysart and Strang creates a tension in the room with Moerlein’s character narrating from within the scene.
The second act of the show continues the themes and moods from the first. In a flashback, egged on by Dysart, Strang remembers the night that caused him to meet with the psychiatrist in the first place – the night he blinded the horses he loves. He recalls his semi-nude encounter with co-worker and friend Jill Mason, played by senior acting major Jenna Curtis.
As the scene unfolds in front of you, every emotion is tied to the scene. Every part of your body is pained as you watch. Each muscle of Strang’s toned body is tense, and the emotion of the finale overwhelms some in the audience.
With limited seating, the setting of the show amplifies its intensity. At capacity, the theater can seat 60 people. The small, intimate setting is more rewarding than seeing it on a large scale, giving each audience member has a clear view of the stage.
Equus is a controversial play. The warnings of sexual content, nudity, profanity and the smoking of herbal cigarettes should not deter anyone from seeing this production. If you can get one of the 60 seats, you will not be disappointed.
After opening last weekend, there are only four performances left. All performances are in the Black Box Theater at Syracuse Stage. To make reservations, leave a message at (315) 443-2102 or send an e-mail to tickets@blackboxplayers.org. All requests will receive a follow-up phone call from the box office.
Published on February 26, 2008 at 12:00 pm
