Mask Design & Construction
Written by Peter Shaffer
Performed at the MTG Century Theatre
About
Equus is a psychological drama about Dr. Martin Dysart (Daric Moore), a psychiatrist who has grown unhappy with his life, encouraged to take on a peculiar case by a magistrate, Hesther Salomon (Natalie Sandbrook). This involves Alan Strang (Samuel Draper), a reserved teenager who has been accused of brutally blinding a stable of horses. Dysart slowly unravels Alan’s background, learning that he grew up in a strained household with a devoutly religious mother (Carol Williams) and an atheist father (Rob Dallas). But as Dysart begins to trace the roots of Alan’s problems, his own also begin to surface.
History
Napier Theatre Company held auditions for
Equus in December 2020, with rehearsals. commencing in January of 2021.
Equus finally hit the boards in November, after delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Like many theatrical societies impacted by the pandemic,
Equus saw an unprecedented rehearsal period spanning over 9 months. It is a huge testament to the cast and crew perseverance that the production was staged in a year of numerous cancellations.
After a gala evening opening night where many Hawke's Bay theatrical societies were invited, Equus opened on Friday November 5th 2021 to a standing ovation. Equus would be staged for a further 5 performances, closing on a sold-out evening at the MTG Century Theatre on Saturday November 13th.
Reviews
- Malcolm Cox, Napier Courier
- John Graham, Hawke's Bay Today
