Equus (Penguin Modern Classics)

Peter Shaffer's Equus (1973) won the 1975 Tony Award for best play. A sensation at the time, it is still visceral and shocking on stage. Alan Strang, a disturbed young man, has been committed to a psychiatric hospital for blinding six horses. The play focuses on the relationship between Strang and the psychiatrist Martin Dysart who has taken on the case; as Dysart unfolds the motivations behind the seemingly motiveless and barbaric act he is forced to revaluate his own life and beliefs. The play is essentially a modern working of classical Greek tragedy. Dysart is forced to see that myth and mythology is an essential part of the human psyche; the play questions how the absence of myth affects the value of life, rendering the patients Dysart "cures" bland, conventional and metaphorically blind. Peter Shaffer through the text uses the stage directions of the play's premiere, John Dexter's Old Vic production in 1973. The stylised set, the way the scenes segue from present to past, with all actors permanently on stage, makes for fascinating reading: it is possible to visualise the production even for those who have not seen it. In paticular the way Dexter deals with the horses, with actors using masks which they ceremoniously don whenever the horses appear on stage, and his determination to avoid realism, accentuate the mythic force of the play and makes it a real tour de force. Yes, there is something odd about reading a play, something clearly designed to be seen on stage: but Shaffer's detailed directions make this not only possible but richly rewarding.

Bought for my daughter's A level English course. Good value for money, good quality.

Arrived exactly as detailed. Very happy.

Again, I knew the play and the film well and possibly thinking of taking it into the classroom again, bought a new copy. A great work.

Bought for A level drama, what can I say?!

Fantastic piece of theatre. Somewhat disturbing but beautifully written and a play I’d love to see live.

I bought this for my son, part of his course work. The book was very helpful to him and great to read too. Very happy.

Fast delivery and I like the vintage feel to my book, however the second day after having the item, the front cover came off! This hasn't effected my study of the play so it's all good, thank you again:)

En excelente estado

Maravilhoso! Peter Schaffer é genial

If you like disturbing but poetic stories this one will have you hooked

Unsettling work, thought-provoking and complex. By the way, Penguin editions are always the best.

This is an extraordinary read for lovers of words everywhere. Equus is a story about passion, albeit misplaced but none-the-less, passion. As the young protagonist opens up for his psychiatrist, the tales of mystery, love and coming of age all unfold before your eyes. It is a fantastic play and wonderful in print. Read it at least once!