EQUUS

In a stunning revival of this complex play, Simon Callow gives a superb performance as Dr Dysart, the psychiatrist asked to treat a disturbed adolescent charged with inexplicably blinding six horses. As the layers of motive unravel we are left with an uncomfortable truth – society cannot cope with too much passion and must seek to tame the extreme in order to function.

What does it mean to have passion? For Dr Dysart it is an enthusiasm for all things Greek, but this is a passion that is easily and safely fulfilled – 3 weeks visit to the Greek islands and a few good books hardly touch the core of his being. The Kirk based pursuits of his “brisk” Scottish wife scarcely reach the heights of religious ecstasy. It is the disturbed adolescent Alan Strang, (played by Alfie Allen) who loses himself through his worship of horses, Alan who abandons himself to a higher power above and beyond the mundane. And for this Dr Dysart comes to envy him. In a dream the psychiatrist clearly sees his own role – he cuts out the heart from children to restore them to bland anodyne normality

Equus is a play of concepts not of action. There are many monologues, many concentrated ideas about religion, hypocrisy, suffering and guilt and the audience is held spellbound. Alfie Allen gives a credible performance as the lonely alienated youth, lost in his own world of godlike horses. The horses themselves are superbly portrayed with their gleaming metal heads and hooves, and their all-seeing gleaming eyes that eventually Alan cannot bear to have watching him.

King’s Theatre until 23^rd February. 0131 529 6000