Equus

Written by Peter Shaffer
Directed by Anne Somes
Presented by Free-Rain Theatre

My desire might be to make this boy an ardent husband – a caring citizen – a worshipper of abstract and unifying God. My achievement, however, is more likely to make a ghost!

Equus by Peter Shaffer is an electric play about passion and worship. Equus is very confronting and sets out to shock, excite and captivate its audience.

It is an exploration of the human condition with its confusions, paradoxes and unanswerable questions, blending the naturalistic with the surreal.

The play exposes the inner most secrets of Alan Strang and Martin Dysart, the psychiatrist who is under an obligation to treat the terrified boy who has committed a crime against 6 horses. The play, though deeply erotic, is also one of tragic conflict.

Alan is a lonely young man who is isolated from others of his own age. His private obsessions with sexual and religious images are converted by his loneliness into a fantasy of worship and passion for Equus.

Dysart revels in Alan’s imagination, his own monologues about his dreams and imaginings are strongly defined. In his reality, he is left with the tedium of everyday life and an unsatisfying marriage.

By Arrangement with ORiGiN™ Theatrical, On Behalf of Samuel French, A Concord Theatricals Company

CONTENT WARNING:

Occasional coarse language
Adult and sexual themes
Exploration of mental illness
Partial and full nudity
Simulated depiction of animal cruelty
18 years and over

In the news

Casting - 'horses' Greek Chorus in Equus

Free-Rain is looking for some young performing artists aged 18 years plus, of any gender identity, for the roles of horses as the Greek Chorus in Equus. The horse is the primary symbol in Equus, and it represents: power, freedom, animal desire. Alan Strang’s worship of the horse-god Equus emphasizes the pure physicality of the […]

Casting call for open roles in 2 Free-Rain shows

Free-Rain Theatre Company have announced the very talented casts for their three shows on at ACT Hub in 2025. Excitingly, there are still a few roles yet to be cast, so if you’re keen to tread the boards with the amazing talent already cast, we’d love you to send your expression of interest (EOI) to freeraintheatre@gmail.com as […]

Cast announcement - Equus

Equus by Peter Shaffer is an electric play about passion and worship. Equus is very confronting and sets out to shock, excite and captivate its audience. It is an exploration of the human condition with its confusions, paradoxes and unanswerable questions, blending the naturalistic with the surreal. Free-Rain Theatre Company are thrilled to announce the […]

Callback, Videos & EOIs for Free-Rain's Season 2025 at ACT Hub

Callbacks for Beauty Queen and Lend Me a Tenor will be held on Saturday 18th January at Cook. New auditionees are asked to send an EOI. For Equus, new auditionees are asked to send an EOI.

Details

When:
12 November – 22 November 2025

Where:
ACT Hub
Causeway Hall, Kingston
14 Spinifex Street, Kingston ACT 2604

Buy tickets View program

Performances

Ticket prices

First in best dressed: $30
Under 30yo: $35
Concession: $40
Adult: $45

Cast

Martin Dysart – Arran McKenna
Alan Strang – Jack Shanahan
Frank Strang / Harry Dalton – Bruce Hardie
Dora Strang – Janie Lawson
Hesther Salomon – Crystal Mahon
Jill Mason – Kathleen Dunkerley and Lily Welling
A Nurse – Caitlin Bissett
Nugget / Young Horseman – Sam Thomson
Horses – Jamie Johnston, Finlay Forrest, Samara Glesti, Bianca Lawson, Robert Wearden

Creatives

Director – Anne Somes
Associate Director – Crystal Mahon
Movement Director – Amy Campbell
Set Design – Cate Clelland
Lighting Design – Craig Muller
Sound Design – Neville Pye and Patrick Dixon
Director of Marketing – Olivia Wenholz
Marketing Assistant – Lachlan Elderton