EQUUS - First Preview - 9/5/08
EQUUS - First Preview - 9/5/08
#1EQUUS - First Preview - 9/5/08
Posted: 9/6/08 at 12:16am
Let me preface this review by saying that I was familiar with Peter Shaffer's play before I saw the performance this evening. I had read the play and seen the movie, both of which I was impressed with. I had read some of the rave reviews from London and I admire both Griffiths and Radcliffe as actors...needless to say, I had extremely high expectations for this production. I am proud to report that my expectations were exceeded...this play is absolutely brilliant...and it has a first-rate production to boot.
There is no show curtain, and when you walk into the theater, you see the six horse heads propped up on the six stables and four pillars in the center of the stage on top of another platform. Throughout the show, the four pillars are used as chairs, tables, beds, etc...they are periodically moved around by the actors during scenes. I was impressed by how "choreographed" the entire show had to be, even in the scenes without the six horses. The lighting was stunning, particularly in the final scenes in Act 1 and Act 2...WOW. There was also very effective use of a fog machine, which added to the atmosphere. I honestly don't think the production itself could have been any better.
The acting was excellent all around. Let me start with the horses (yes, Spencer Liff was one of them). They were all wearing horseshoe platform "shoes" that were made of metal. It must be hard to walk in those, but all six actors did a fabulous job. Other smaller roles included Lorenzo Pisoni as The Young Horseman & Nugget (who is extremely good looking by the way), Graeme Malcolm as Harry Dalton, and Sandra Shipley as the Nurse, all of which were wonderful.
Anna Camp played Jill Mason. I despised her in THE COUNTRY GIRL last season, but she was fine in this show (and yes, she is nude at the end as well with Radcliffe). I think her acting will improve as the run goes on, but she did a good job, especially for a first preview. T. Ryder Smith played the father Frank Strang and gave a wonderful performance, as did Carolyn McCormick as the mother Dora Strang. I loved their scene at the beach when Alan (Radcliffe) first sees a horse, and I also loved their individual scenes while speaking to Martin (Griffiths).
Kate Mulgrew as Hesther Saloman was fabulous. Her scenes with Griffiths were spot on. She had emotion and passion in her line deliveries, and I also noted that she has incredible diction. The scenes really came alive when she was on stage (not that any scene in this play was dead). I'm just saying, you noticed Kate when she was on stage...and that is a very good thing. Excellent casting. So impressive.
Daniel Radcliffe as Alan Strang. This is such a tough role for anyone to play. Alan has such psychological issues and to portray that on stage a couple times is difficult, let alone eight time a week. Daniel was perfect in the role. His facial expressions, line deliveries, interaction with Griffiths, his hand gestures, his intonation...wow. His scenes at the ends of Act 1 and Act 2 were bloody brilliant. I also have to give him credit for doing the nude scene at the end of the show. Being totally exposed on stage, for an extended period of time, in front of all those people must be so difficult, and he pulled it off brilliantly. He completely stayed in character the entire time and truly took the audience on this crazy journey with him. I admire him and am thrilled that he chose this play to make his Broadway debut.
Richard Griffiths as Martin Dysart. Perfection. I'm not sure there is anything else to say. He was Martin Dysart. Not only was he able to pull off being a psychiatrist, questioning Alan, questioning his parents, Hesther, etc. Through his interaction with others, he allowed the audience to psychologically evaluate him, which was so interesting. We found out little tidbits about his life, which you don't often get to delve into with psychiatrists...it is usually all about the patients. Griffiths even got applause after one of his lengthy monologues in Act 2, in talking to Hesther...well deserved too! I did not care for THE HISTORY BOYS at all, but his performance tonight was certainly Tony-worthy. Excellent job.
I also have to mention that the audience was EXTREMELY well-behaved (thank goodness). There was surprisingly no entrance applause for any of the actors, but the audience was into the play right from the start. The one hour and thirty minute first act seemed like 15 minutes to me. It flew by...and I attribute that to the real star of this play - Peter Shaffer. Not since DOUBT have I been so into a straight play, so moved. Every sentence, every word was brilliantly crafted and placed.
I can't believe I am about to say this, but EQUUS is worth every penny that they are charging for it. Not only are you getting to see an excellent play, but the acting in it is fantastic, and the set design and lighting are wonderful. Seeing EQUUS is what live theater is all about. I urge you all to go buy tickets for this show...you will not regret it.
Updated On: 9/8/08 at 12:16 AM
#2re: EQUUS - First Preview - 9/5/08
Posted: 9/6/08 at 12:21amAs always, thank you for your excellent review!
WiCkEDrOcKS
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/13/04
#3re: EQUUS - First Preview - 9/5/08
Posted: 9/6/08 at 12:22am
Thanks, WAT.
I think I might grab a pair of tickets tomorrow. I gotta see this show.
dramamama611
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/4/07
#4re: EQUUS - First Preview - 9/5/08
Posted: 9/6/08 at 12:22am
Wow....so you liked it?
Thanks for taking the time for such a detailed review. I'm so looking forward to this come November. Now the wait seems longer!
If we're not having fun, then why are we doing it?
These are DISCUSSION boards, not mutual admiration boards. Discussion only occurs when we are willing to hear what others are thinking, regardless of whether it is alignment to our own thoughts.
#5re: EQUUS - First Preview - 9/5/08
Posted: 9/6/08 at 12:24am
I really hope all of you love it as much as I did...it was quite an experience.
Oh, and in case you were wondering about the stage door scene...it was INSANE. When I got out of the theater (and I was one of the first out), there was already a mob scene out there. I will have to go back another time to get my poster signed...no big deal though.
Updated On: 9/6/08 at 12:24 AM
dramamama611
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/4/07
#6re: EQUUS - First Preview - 9/5/08
Posted: 9/6/08 at 12:27amI thought I read that Griffiths and Radcliff would NOT be stage dooring? Any info?
If we're not having fun, then why are we doing it?
These are DISCUSSION boards, not mutual admiration boards. Discussion only occurs when we are willing to hear what others are thinking, regardless of whether it is alignment to our own thoughts.
#7re: EQUUS - First Preview - 9/5/08
Posted: 9/6/08 at 12:28amThank you for the report! I am really hoping to catch this.
Yankeefan007
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/20/04
#8re: EQUUS - First Preview - 9/5/08
Posted: 9/6/08 at 12:42am
Love me some Anna Camp.
Does she take her clothes off too?
#9re: EQUUS - First Preview - 9/5/08
Posted: 9/6/08 at 12:46am
Anna Camp gets completely naked as well, yes.
But please...this show is so awesome...the nudity is necessary to further the plot...just let it be. I would not recommmend seeing this show JUST for the nudity (i know you're not YankeeFan, but I'm sure some are, and that is just stupid).
#10re: EQUUS - First Preview - 9/5/08
Posted: 9/6/08 at 12:57amI would like to know how people like the on stage seating??
burnsy
Stand-by Joined: 8/3/07
#11re: EQUUS - First Preview - 9/5/08
Posted: 9/6/08 at 12:59amI loved the show, but I was so distracted by the stupid teenage girls who sat next to me giggling through the whole show. This is a serious play and I didn't find it funny at all. I agreed with your review. So many scenes just gave me goosebumps.
#12re: EQUUS - First Preview - 9/5/08
Posted: 9/6/08 at 1:01am
bursy, I'm so sorry there were teenage girls sitting next to you...that would probably have ruined my experience.
as far as the on-stage seating...it looked like it was VERY partial view. they were all leaning over the entire show. I would not recommend those seats at all.
#13re: EQUUS - First Preview - 9/5/08
Posted: 9/6/08 at 1:03amThank you so much for your detailed review! I cannot wait to see this production! I absolutely love this play.
There is only one you for all time. Fearlessly be yourself.
#14re: EQUUS - First Preview - 9/5/08
Posted: 9/6/08 at 1:45amAbout the stage dooring, I'd also like to know if they came out to sign autographs. I doubt Richard Griffiths will since he never did for The History Boys. But I'm pretty sure Daniel Radcliffe signed for some people after every performance of Equus in London, so I don't see why he wouldn't here.
#15re: EQUUS - First Preview - 9/5/08
Posted: 9/6/08 at 1:51amSince it's supposed to be a downpour tomorrow, I will stage door one day mid-week next week and report back. I'm hoping to get all of their signatures on my window card.
Luckydave14
Broadway Legend Joined: 8/25/04
#16re: EQUUS - First Preview - 9/5/08
Posted: 9/6/08 at 2:05amI was walking by tonight when the stage door crowd was there. It was INSANE. There must have been 300-500 people there. People by the barricades, even more people across the street. Richard came out and got right into his car. Daniel came out and signed for the people in the front for a few minutes before leaving. And he was signing everything, including Harry Potter pictures.
#17re: EQUUS - First Preview - 9/5/08
Posted: 9/6/08 at 2:37am
Thanks for the report WAT. I'm so excited.
I know this is the first preview, but any merch other than window cards?
#18re: EQUUS - First Preview - 9/5/08
Posted: 9/6/08 at 2:47amThere were also tshirts and hats...didn't notice anything else (but honestly, wasn't paying that close attention to the merch).
#19re: EQUUS - First Preview - 9/5/08
Posted: 9/6/08 at 3:05am
By the way, I saw Xanadu tonight and Mary Testa ad libbed this near the end of the show:
"Across the street at Equus, Harry Potter hasn't even showed everyone his magic wand yet."
Thanks for the report. I look forward to seeing this.
~Steven
winston89
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/18/06
#20re: EQUUS - First Preview - 9/5/08
Posted: 9/6/08 at 3:14amI had a conversation with Richard Griffiths not that long ago while he was hanging out in front of the theatre having a smoke. I think this was a break during tech. It was amazing. He is a VERY down to earth guy and very nice and friendly. We got into an in depth conversation about Hector in The History Boys and it was very interesting.
"If you try to shag my husband while I am still alive, I will shove the art of motorcycle maintenance up your rancid little Cu**. That's a good dear"
Tom Stoppard's Rock N Roll
sbflyfan
Broadway Star Joined: 4/12/07
#21re: EQUUS - First Preview - 9/5/08
Posted: 9/6/08 at 6:23am
Can anyone tell us what security was like?
Did they really install infared cameras, or have more ushers, bag checks, etc?
"I'm seeing the LuPone in Key West later this week. I'm hoping for great vocals and some sort of insane breakdown..." - BenjaminNicholas2
Ed_Mottershead
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/20/05
#22re: EQUUS - First Preview - 9/5/08
Posted: 9/6/08 at 7:46amI'm surprised to hear that Richard Griffiths wasn't more affable after the show. When I saw The History Boys, he was very gracious, talking to everyohe (and there was a good crowd). Guess this is just a different situation.
BroadwayEd
Yankeefan007
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/20/04
#23re: EQUUS - First Preview - 9/5/08
Posted: 9/6/08 at 8:39amYeah, he was very nice after The History Boys. Lovely guy to talk to.
PitPro2004
Broadway Star Joined: 2/15/04
#24re: EQUUS - First Preview - 9/5/08
Posted: 9/6/08 at 9:26am
I have heard that this show didn't quite have the advanced ticket sale everyone thought it would. Any truth to that?
If I go in on a week night as a single ticket buyer, can I get in?
And thanks for that wonderful review. Wow! Have got to see this one way or the other.
"Sticks and stones, sister. Here, have a Valium!"
