Equus
Equus
by Peter Shaffer
Directed by Derek Bertelsen
September 27 – October 27, 2019
About the show: Inspired by a true story, Equus sets out to explore the complex relationships between devotion and myth. When teenager Alan Strang’s pathological fascination leads him to blind six horses in a Hampshire stable, psychiatrist Martin Dysart is tasked with uncovering the motive behind the boy’s violent act. As Dysart delves into Alan’s world of twisted spirituality, passion and sexuality, he begins to question his own sanity and motivations in a world driven by consumerism. Jeff Recommended.
Special Feature in the Chicago Sun-Times: AstonRep pulls out all the stops for demanding production of ‘Equus’
Special Feature in Chicago Social magazine: Horse Play
Special Interview: Click here to listen to WGN’s interview with Derek Bertelsen, Rian Jairell, and Sean William Kelly
PRODUCTION TEAM
Derek Bertelsen - Director/Co-Sound Designer
Kamren Smith - Assistant Director/Stage Manager
Samantha Barr* - Lighting Designer/Co-Sound Designer
Claire Yearman - Intimacy/Violence Choreographer
Claire Allegra Taylor - Movement Director
Bethany Hart - Dialect Coach
Jeremiah Barr* - Technical Director/Set/Props/Mask Designer
kClare McKellaston– Costume Designer
Emily Schwartz - Production Photographer
*denotes AstonRep company member
CAST
Sean William Kelly - Alan Strang
Rian Jairell - Martin Dysart
Julie Partyka - Dora Strang
Robert Tobin* - Frank Strang
Alexandra Bennett* - Hester Salomon
Malia Hu - Jill Mason
Jordan Pokorney - Horseman/Nugget
Andrew Whatley - Harry Dalton/Nurse
Billy Sullivan - Martin Dysart understudy
Reviews
“A haunted and haunting lead performance by the excellent Sean William Kelly drives AstonRep Theatre Company's solid and moving production of Equus…”
— Chicago Reader
“Congratulations to Aston Rep, and particularly to Derek Bertelsen, for reviving this mesmerizing drama and giving it such a respectful, yet innovative production.”