Equus Examines Passions


by Linda Charles

ISU Theatre kicks off its season with the psychological 
thriller Equus.

The Peter Shaffer play won the Tony Award for Best Play of 
1974. It details the story of Dr. Dysart, a psychiatrist, who 
tries to determine why his patient, Alan Strang, blinded six 
horses with a metal spike.

The cast includes director of theatre Gregg Henry as Dysart 
and journalism and mass communication junior Tim Davis as 
Strang. Patrick Gouran, associate professor of theater, 
directs the production.

"The play is about passion," Gouran said. "It's about how 
Dysart deals with the idea of this young man's passion in the 
world."

To Strang, horses have become a religion, he added. Dysart 
sets out to make his patient "normal," but the idea of making 
Strang like everyone else bothers the psychiatrist. Dysart 
ultimately examines the passion, or lack thereof, in his own 
life.

Many who see the play learn more about themselves, Gouran 
said. "When I went back to read it, I wondered how Peter 
Shaffer knew me, how he got into my head."

While the play is challenging, the student actors "do very 
well," Gouran said. "It's a mature cast that's talented and 
experienced. Having Gregg (Henry) with them as a role model 
has just been a dream."

Working with the student cast has been "an extraordinary 
experience," Henry said. "I'm working with a really strong 
group of actors.

"The great benefit of working with students is that I get to 
knock the rust off my joints," he added. "By doing this, I 
get to practice what I teach and it keeps me honest as an 
acting teacher and director.

"I like to think it's good experience for the students 
working with me," said Henry, who has acted professionally 
for 20 years. "That's the reason we put a faculty member in 
with the students -- for the students to key off our 
experience, energy and talent."

Lighting was designed by Jim Trenberth, who recently joined 
the theater faculty as resident lighting designer. Trenberth 
also is designer-in-residence at the Wisconsin Shakespeare 
Festival.

Although the play contains a very stylized rendition of 
Strang putting out the horses eyes, it may not be appropriate 
for younger people, Gouran said. (There also is a scene with 
a bare chested man and a woman in a bra.)

The play will be presented at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 21, 22, 23, 29 
and 30. It also will be presented at 10 a.m. Sept. 22 and 2 
p.m. Oct. 1. All performances will be in Fisher Theater. 

Season tickets for ISU Theatre ($30 or $34) are available 
through Oct. 1. Single ticket general admission is $7.75 
($6.75 for seniors). Tickets are available at the Iowa State 
Center box office or through TicketMaster outlets.

_____
contact:  Linda Charles, Internal Communications, (515) 294-
3129
updated:  9-15-95