Equus

STARRING William McInnes and Khan Chittenden, featuring Jodie Buzza, Murray Dowsett, Vivienne Garrett, Peter Holland, Paea Leach, Elizabeth McDonnell, Caroline McKenzie, Joshua Mu, Sete Tele, Joshua Thompson and introducing Alexandra Fisher in an ensemble cast of fourteen. DIRECTED BY Melissa Cantwell SOUND DESIGNER & COMPOSITION BY Kingsley Reeve/Paul Tanner LIGHTING DESIGNER Graham Walne COSTUME AND SET DESIGNER Shaun Gurton CHOREOGRAPHY Gavin Webber WARDROBE BY Sue Kerr Sir Peter Shaffer’s seminal work is presented in Perth in startling new light for the first time in over thirty years. EQUUS rocked the conservative majority when it stampeded the London stage in 1973, prompting outrage and awe in equal measure. Today it remains as potent, confronting and astounding as ever. A not-to-be missed event, an intimate drama of epic proportions, EQUUS uncovers our darkest secrets and deepest desires as Shaffer weaves a masterful thread through humanity, a thread that binds us all and draws us closer to the truth of who and what we really are. A psychiatrist is transformed by his patient, a boy is transformed by his passion and the waking world is transformed by our dreams. EQUUS is the powerful and provocative story of a stable boy and a psychiatrist who seek to understand the sexual and religious mystery that leads to a climactic and unbelievable event. Revived in 2007, and not professionally produced outside London’s West End and New York’s Broadway theatre districts for nearly 30 years, multi-award winning EQUUS is a contemporary classic. “One weekend I was driving with a friend through the bleak countryside. We passed a stable. Suddenly he was reminded by it of an alarming crime, which he had heard about recently at a dinner party in London. He knew only one horrible detail, and his complete mention of it could barely have lasted a minute – but it was enough to arouse in me an intense fascination...” Sir Peter Shaffer EQUUS stars William McInnes (SeaChange, Blue Heelers, Unfinished Sky), one of Australia’s most popular stage and screen actors, in the pivotal role as psychiatrist Martin Dysart and the extraordinarily talented Khan Chittenden (Dangerous, Clubland, All Saints, Packed to the Rafters) as stable boy Alan Strang, with choreography from Queensland’s Gavin Webber (Dance North, Underground, Roadkill, Lawn). Khan filmed his first US based film Endless Bummer last year in Ventura, California. 1975 New York Drama Critics’ Circle Award for Best Play 1975 Tony Award for Best Play 'Brilliant, beyond imagination' – WOR Radio 'One of the greatest English plays; magnificent. Rarely does contemporary drama probe so deep. An electrifying evening of theatre' – The Sunday Times (UK) 'Primal and electric' – Entertainment Tonight ** EQUUS contains adult themes, nudity and strong language. By special arrangement with David Pugh and Dafydd Rogers in association with ML2000. WHEN: Previews: Saturday 12 September and Monday 14 September 2009 Season: Tuesday 15 to Saturday 26 September 2009 BOOKINGS: Book at BOCS Ticketing on 9484 1133, www.bocsticketing.com.au or in person at BOCS outlets Teachers complimentary when booking groups 10+ Phone BOCS Groups 9321 6831