VCU news

"Equus," the dramatic interpretation of a true crime in England, will open the 1999-2000 theater season at Virginia Commonwealth University. The Tony Award-winning play – often described as a "whydunit?" – will be presented in October at the Raymond Hodges Theatre of the VCU Performing Arts Center, 922 Park Ave.

Written by Peter Shaffer and debuted in London in 1973, "Equus" focuses on the relationship between 17-year-old Alan Strang and his psychiatrist, Martin Dysart. Strang has committed the violent act of blinding six horses with a metal spike at the stable where he works. Dysart, played by guest artist David Bridgewater, has been asked to treat the youth and determine why Strang, portrayed by Zachary Knighton, did this heinous act. Through flashbacks and interviews with those who know Strang – including his religious mother and atheist father, the audience learns about events from the boy’s past that have led to the current tragedy.

According to director Jennifer Spieler, Strang comes to relate the horse as his god, taking midnight rides as his means of worship. As the play, which explores adult themes, unfolds, the audience discovers that Dysart envies and ultimately risks sacrificing his patient for embracing a passion he can only hold at a distance. The psychiatrist is only able to study the Greek gods while Strang sees the horses as a symbolic conduit to bringing his own religious beliefs to reality, the director said.

"The play takes on not only the literal whodunit but also thematically talks about the quest for passion in life versus the restrictions and confinements set up by our society," said Spieler, a third-year graduate student. She is directing "Equus" as part of her thesis.

Recreating the sacred theater festivals of early Greek society, VCU’s production of "Equus" will feature a stage that is transformed by the storyline to serve as an office, stable and temple – at times simultaneously. Masked actors, who integrate the movements of animal and god, portray the horses. Those actors are Ali Dizikes, Jennifer Elouise Meharg, Tiza Garland, Kathryn Kelly and Amy Vipperman.

The VCU production also will feature the work of Ron Keller, scene design; Garland, choreography and movement; Leigh Aylott, lighting; Andrew Timko, sound; and Elizabeth Weiss Hopper, costumes.

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"Equus" will be presented Oct. 7-9 and Oct. 13-16 at 7:30 p.m. and Oct. 10 at 2:30 p.m. in the Raymond Hodges Theatre of the VCU Performing Arts Center. Tickets are $10 for general admission; $8 for seniors and VCU faculty and staff members; free for VCU students with valid ID. For tickets, call the Theatre VCU Box Office at 828-6026.