Self-consciously set within the psychotherapy sessions of a troubled young man, Peter Shaffer's Equus shockingly explores the boundaries of faith, the intersections of the sacred and the profane, and the limited value of an "ordinary" life. This Penguin Modern Classics classic illuminates the disturbing actions of Alan Strang, a young man who blinds six horses with a metal spike and is subsequently ordered into psychiatric treatment. Dr. Dysart is responsible for unraveling the events of that fateful night, but is confronted with his own inner conflict. Dysart quietly wrestles with the meaning of sanity, the justification of his marriage, and the foundation of his career. This leads to an introspective search for the "normality" of his existence. Ultimately, he must ask himself: is it the patient or the psychiatrist whose life is being laid bare? A shocking play in its day, Equus uses violence to explore themes of faith, madness, and how the materialism of modern life can destroy humanity.
Peter Shaffer (born 1926), originally from Liverpool, is an English playwright. His works include The Salt Land (1954), Equus (1973), which won the 1975 Tony Award for Best Play as well as the New York Drama Critics Circle Award, and Amadeus (1979), which won the Evening Standard Drama Award, among other awards, and was made into a film in 1984 starring F. Murray Abraham and Simon Callow. If you enjoyed Equus, you might enjoy Tennessee Williams' A Streetcar Named Desire, also available from Penguin Modern Classics.
Equus distinguishes itself through its in-depth exploration of the human psyche and offers a captivating experience for both theater lovers and those who want to explore the power of the stage. Experience the quality and speed of delivery that makes Intertaal reliable in offering such classic works.