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REVIEW: Equus
The Abreact
From the Detroit Monitor
Abreact's Equus is intense experience
By Robert Delaney
Peter Shaffer's disturbing psychological drama Equus, now at the Zeitgeist Gallery and Performance Space out Michigan Avenue past the old train station, is an intense theatrical experience.
Thomas Hoagland directs this impressive production by the Abreaact theatre company, which has moved its performances to the Zeitgeist from its old home near the Greektown Casino.
Alex D. Hill plays Alan, the young man committed to an asylum for blinding horses, with as much power and depth as I have seen.
Dan Morrison is thoroughly authentic as Dr. Martin Dysart, the psychologist tasked with understanding and curing the young prisoner.
Katie Galazka is also quite believable as Jill Mason, the girl who tries to draw Alan into a normal relationship -- but only aggravates his delusions.
Dax Anderson again shows himself to be the Detroit stage's master of peculiar personas as Alan's overly strict father.
The Abreact makes good use of its new venue for this production, whose set -- suggestive of a Greek temple -- is by the multi-talented Eric Maher.
Not quite so impressive, however, are the horse masks designed by Katherine Casebolt and Amanda Box. They compare unfavorably with those designed for the Bonstelle Theatre production a few years back.
But their masks are not the only problem with the chorus of six horses. I think Hoaglund missed an opportunity in not having them behave in a more equine manner. They needed to move more like horses -- paw the ground a bit, that sort of thing.
Still and all, this is a production of Equus that is well worth seeing. Anyone unfamiliar with the play is forewarned -- the play contains nudity and explicit adult language.
SHOW DETAILS:
The drama continues through April 26 at the Zeitgeist, 2661 Michigan Ave. at 19th Street in Detroit, with performances at 8 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays, and one 4 p.m. Sunday matinee on April 20. For performance times and ticket information, call 313-247-5270.
Reprinted with permission of the Detroit Monitor, April 17, 2008
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