“Equus” by Peter Schaffer
Lace Market Theatre

This is a production and a half and everyone involved should be very proud of themselves. Every time I go to the theatre and think that I have seen one of the best productions of the year, up comes another to top the previous. This has just topped the previous with icing, cherry and sprinkles galore.

The second play in the new season from the Lace Market Theatre is one of those plays that isn’t performed that often but guarantees to be a sell out due to its' dark and powerful story, not to mention the superb acting of this formidable cast.

“Equus” was written in 1973 by Peter Schaffer and is based on the true story that Schaffer heard about regarding a crime involving a 17-year-old who blinded six horses in a small town near Suffolk. He set out to construct a fictional account of what

might have caused the incident, without knowing any of the details of the crime. The play's action is something of a detective story, involving the attempts of the child psychiatrist Dr. Martin Dysart to understand the cause of the boy's actions.

A court magistrate, Hesther Saloman, visits Dysart, believing that he has the skills to help the 17 year old Alan Strang come to terms with what he did. At the hospital, Dysart has a great deal of difficulty making any kind of headway with Alan, who at first responds to questioning by singing TV advertising jingles. Slowly, Dysart makes contact with Alan by playing a game where each of them asks a question, which must be answered honestly.

The discussions develop and Dysart discovers all about Strang’s parents, Dora and Frank, Strang's confused childhood and his seduction by his friend .Jill which leads to the shocking, dark and explosive ending.

Fraser Wanless (Dysart) is undeniably one of the areas best actors. His projection and diction is perfect and in this role, part narrator, part psychiatrist, you find yourself hanging on to every word.

Jak Truswell (Strang) has obviously studied this role and morphed into this troubled teen. I've seen Jak in several productions over the years but I can safely say that this is the best piece of theatre he has performed, and I said that about his role in "Beautiful Thing". No pressure but this role is going to take a lot of beating for Jak.

Nik Hedges (Frank Strang) delivers another strong performance in his second show for the Lace Market Theatre. Frank is supposed to be this moralistic father figure but his secrets are soon uncovered by Alan.

Sarah Taylor (Dora Strang) puts in a beautifully impassioned performance as Alan's religion-obsessed mother. Almost as if she is about to bubble over with nervous anger most of the time, a couple of times that pressure cooker gives way with some powerful emotional outbursts

Carol Parkinson (Hesther Salomon), at the start I thought may have forgotten her lines, but then I thought twice and said to myself, hang on this Carol, she does not forget lines and I realised at that point that the every so slight stumbling delivery was for dramatic effect of the character. The uncertainty as to whether Dysart would take on the case and save Strang from jail gave Carol's performance that extra edge. Brilliant.

Joanna Hoyes (Jill Mason) is the seductress in this play and a lovely confident performance. Who could resist?

Alistair Hudson (Harry Dalton), the stables owner where all the darkness takes place, and we get to hear that lovely Yorkshire accent again. this play makes it his second for the Lace Market theatre this year.

Mark James (Horseman/Nugget), a dual role for Mark. I loved the toffee-nosed horseman part, the introduction to Strang's love affair with horses. Also loved the physicality of playing Nugget.

Dani Wain (Nurse), not the biggest of roles but loved the gentle but masterly role, creating character for the nurse, which could have gone unnoticed, but didn't.

The other horses are played by Jonathan Cleaver, Matthew Matthew James Finkel, Neil Ledward, Nathan Sharpe and Arnd Korn

Directed by Chris Sims, Sir you have created a masterpiece in modern theatre this week. The tension in this play is enough to make a person burst, and I've seen the play before, so i know what an amazing piece of theatre this is.You can feel the immense amount of hard work that Chris and the cast have put into this play, a play that sucks you in and gets you so engrossed with the story and the characters that you feel that you are the only person in the theatre at the moment.

The set is designed by Mark James. Simple but very effective. having a revolving stage, which I've not seen done in this play before, gives the on stage seating another view of the actors. The darkness of the play is reflected by the colour scheme.The simpleness also detracts nothing from the actors while creating a multi-functional stage for the actors

Abby Wells is the Movement Director and this comes into play at the end with the chaos caused and the blind panic, but just notice the way the "horses" move when required.

Lighting Design by David Billen and Sound design by Jack Harris, and these two together helped create the overall feel of the creeping darkness and the expected chaos and carnage.

Much as i love a comedy, or a musical, you can't beat a good dark piece of theatre, and this ticks every single box that i had in my head.

Taking out of the equation that for a short space of time you have two actors naked on stage, and I know that this may be what attracts some folk to see this show - let's face it, it didn't do Daniel Radcliffe any harm in the world of theatre when he played Strang - this show is a powerful and wonderfully written piece of modern theatre. This production is one you must see, even if it is just for the shock value of Strang's actions.

Possibly my favourite piece of theatre this year.

“Equus” is being performed at the Lace Market Theatre, Nottingham until Saturday 13 September 2018.

Pictures courtesy of Kareena Sims.