EQUUS is a play depicting a psychiatrist’s attempt to treat a young boy who’s obsession with horses leads to his committing a horrible crime. Playwright Peter Shaffer takes us into the mind of Alan Stang, a 17-year-old whose parents have unwittingly driven him to a religious obsession with horses, and his relationship with a young horse handler causes him to commit an unthinkable act.
The play itself is quite dark and extremely disturbing and thus requires a high level of intensity on the part of the cast. It is quite impressive what Palm Canyon Theatre has been able to achieve in putting together a production of this magnitude in just a few days and for only four performances. Also, not to mention, with only a shoestring budget to work with.
Director Steve Fisher has assembled a cast that, especially considering the short time frame allotted, is able to pull together and form an ensemble that is not only convincing, but effortlessly pulls the audience into Shaffer’s macabre tale to the point that some artistic nudity, necessary to the plot, is hardly noticeable (requiring an adults-only disclaimer nonetheless).
Local actor, Jake Phillips, portrays the young Alan Stang with authentic passion that depicts the accuracy of the boy’s emotional trauma causing the audience to cringe with uneasiness. There is little doubt as to what Strang would have actually been feeling in reality.
More than the story itself, however, this production of EQUUS is the perfect example of the little theatre company that could. With Se and Bill Layne at the helm, Palm Canyon Theatre has been producing quality local theatre for the city of Palm Springs, CA.
For more information about EQUUS and to learn about Palm Canyon Theatre and their next ambitious season, visit their website at www.palmcanyontheatre.org.
