EQUUS

This psychodrama, penned by Sir Peter Shaffer, first premiered in 1973; The award winning modern classic masterpiece finally receives a long-awaited revival in Montreal since it was re-popularized a few years ago in London's West End, and on Broadway, in a production starring Harry Potters' Daniel Radcliff.

"We starting working on Equus immediately upon closing Tennissee Williams' Suddenly, Last Summer in October 2009. It's the natural choice as our next major collaboration on a modern classic. We're thrilled to have been so successful in uniting such an amazing team of local talents, and to offer this great opportunity to them. This isn't just another play or production for us, it is 'the Play' by which all of whom are involved in it's creation will measure their future careers." Davyn Ryall artistic director..."I'm very proud to be able to feature this awesome ensemble on the Rialto stage. Our local artists have linked their talents to create, collaborate and perform in this rare theatrical pearl. Besides the thrill of collaboration, by passing the directorial hat to Paul Van Dyck, who's body of work I admire, Paul will be able to take my vision for the production and bring it to a whole new level artistically. I am turned on by a play that provokes the mind, the senses and conversation. Every audience member participates in the judgment of Alan Strang. Many of today's acts of incomprehensible torture and inhumane violence towards other creatures and each other are seemingly justified by faith, This is an innate part of our universally shared human history back to pre-historic times. Hence starts the debate over Equus... ".

Set in a southern England provincial mental hospital EQUUS is a powerful, provocative and utterly jarring story of a psychiatrist Martin Dysart (Noel Burton) who seeks to understand the sexual and religious mystery that leads a boy of seventeen Alan Strang (Bobby Lamont) to deliberately blind six horses. It is an equally disturbing and inspiring examination of personal values and morality in the face of commonly accepted social prejudices. The psychological space that forms becomes the battleground between Strang and Dysart. Each man, in their own way, forces the other to question the legitimacy of their passion, or lack thereof. The father/son dynamic that develops between them drives them both to face the truth of their situation; the tension between the freedom of unbridled passion and the controlled normalcy society expects. The characters are mere shadows of the people they once were, tethered to the normalcy that reflects society. The theme of suffering runs throughout the play; As strongly as any chain, it links together God, Equus, and Alan whose passion is exhilarating to Dysart, but can only be seen as pained by the counterbalancing voice of Hesther Salomon (Nadia Verrucci). Alan's horrible crime is not the result of a disregard for social norms, but rather the expression of deeply disturbed introjections of them. In a time where extremism and religion motivate and justify actions unspeakable, Equus demonstrates that no single act, even the most horrific, can be judged solely in black or white, it presents to us the opportunity to explore the complexity of the grey areas in between.

Warning! For Adult audiences 18+ only. Mature content: coarse language and nudity.

				Village Scene Productions, with the Rialto Theatre, presents...
				EQUUS
				by PETER SHAFFER
				"Passion can be destroyed ... It can not be created."
				Directed by Paul Van Dyck* Choreography by Jacqueline Van de Geer

				*Featuring: Noel Burton (Martin Dysart) & Bobby Lamont** (Alan Strang) Nadia Verrucci* (Hesther Salomon) *Alarey Alsip* (Jill Mason) Victoria Barkoff* (Dora Strang) Clive Brewer (Frank Strang) Karl P. Werleman (Harry Dalton) Heather Huff (Nurse) & André Simmoneau* (Horseman/Nugget)
				Chorus: Jaime Del Aguila; Julia Dawiskiba; Ellie Moon; Fred Nguyen; Kristina Sandev; Nicholas Santillo.
				*Appears with permission from the Canadian Actors Equity
				Exectutive producers: Davyn & Richard Ryall-Smith
				Associate producer: Kristina Sandev
				Stage management: Sarah Stupar
				Light design: Jody Burkholder
				Sound design : Paul Van Dyck
				Set design: André Simoneau & Davyn Ryall
				Costume design: Mélanie-Ann Fallnbigl & Davyn Ryall
				Makeup: Mélanie-Ann Fallnbigl
				Assistant choreographer: Loes Ruizeveldin
				Media relations: Janis Kirshner
				VSP communications-translation: Stéphane Turgeon
				Graphic design: Kristina Doiron
				Graphic annimation: Jeremy Eliosoff
				Lara Kaluza: Projections
				Photographer-Videography: Tristan Brand
Where: RIALTO THEATRE 5723 ave. du Parc, Montreal. Qc. Canada (Corner Bernard (Métro P.D.A., #80N, 565N, bus) When: April 13 - 24, 2011. Preview: Wednesday, April 13, 7:30 pm (2-4-1). Premier: Thursday, April 14, 7:30 pm.				This psychodrama, penned by Sir Peter Shaffer, first premiered in 1973; The award winning modern classic masterpiece finally receives a long-awaited revival in Montreal since it was re-popularized a few years ago in London's West End, and on Broadway, in a production starring Harry Potters' Daniel Radcliff. "We starting working on Equus immediately upon closing Tennissee Williams' Suddenly, Last Summer in October 2009. It's the natural choice as our next major collaboration on a modern classic. We're thrilled to have been so successful in uniting such an amazing team of local talents, and to offer this great opportunity to them. This isn't just another play or production for us, it is 'the Play' by which all of whom are involved in it's creation will measure their future careers." Davyn Ryall artistic director..."I'm very proud to be able to feature this awesome ensemble on the Rialto stage. Our local artists have linked their talents to create, collaborate and perform in this rare theatrical pearl. Besides the thrill of collaboration, by passing the directorial hat to Paul Van Dyck, who's body of work I admire, Paul will be able to take my vision for the production and bring it to a whole new level artistically. I am turned on by a play that provokes the mind, the senses and conversation. Every audience member participates in the judgment of Alan Strang. Many of today's acts of incomprehensible torture and inhumane violence towards other creatures and each other are seemingly justified by faith, This is an innate part of our universally shared human history back to pre-historic times. Hence starts the debate over Equus... ". Set in a southern England provincial mental hospital EQUUS is a powerful, provocative and utterly jarring story of a psychiatrist Martin Dysart (Noel Burton) who seeks to understand the sexual and religious mystery that leads a boy of seventeen Alan Strang (Bobby Lamont) to deliberately blind six horses. It is an equally disturbing and inspiring examination of personal values and morality in the face of commonly accepted social prejudices. The psychological space that forms becomes the battleground between Strang and Dysart. Each man, in their own way, forces the other to question the legitimacy of their passion, or lack thereof. The father/son dynamic that develops between them drives them both to face the truth of their situation; the tension between the freedom of unbridled passion and the controlled normalcy society expects. The characters are mere shadows of the people they once were, tethered to the normalcy that reflects society. The theme of suffering runs throughout the play; As strongly as any chain, it links together God, Equus, and Alan whose passion is exhilarating to Dysart, but can only be seen as pained by the counterbalancing voice of Hesther Salomon (Nadia Verrucci). Alan's horrible crime is not the result of a disregard for social norms, but rather the expression of deeply disturbed introjections of them. In a time where extremism and religion motivate and justify actions unspeakable, Equus demonstrates that no single act, even the most horrific, can be judged solely in black or white, it presents to us the opportunity to explore the complexity of the grey areas in between. Warning! For Adult audiences 18+ only. Mature content: coarse language and nudity.
Friday, April 15, 8:00 pm. A benefit performance for: Radio Centre-Ville CINQ 102.3FM
Saturday, April 16, 8:00 pm. A special benefit performance for RefugeRR Rescue & Retirement Ranch for horses; For a 50$ ticket payable at the door only, a charitable donation receipt of $25 issued upon request. Includes: Play at 8 pm; Meet & greet, talk back session with cast; Performance by Soul Fusion* at 11 pm. (Or PWYC donations at the door for band only.)
Matinée: Sunday, April 17, 2 pm. (NOTE: There is no perfrmance on the evenings of : Sunday, April 17, and Monday April 18.) Tue. April 19, Wed. April 20, Thr. April 21, 7:30 pm; Fri. April 22, Sat. April 23, & Sun. April 24, 8:00 pm. Matinée: Sun. April 24, 2 pm. Tickets: Regular $30. Students & Seniors $24. (Taxes included.)* (20% discount, at the door only, to valid card carrying members of: QDF, UDA, CAEA, ACTRA, QWF, PWM.) Tickets available in advance, or at the door 60 minutes before each performance. (Cash sales only at the door.) All sales are non-refundable and non exchangable. Places are limited, advance purchase is recommended.
Cast & Crew Bios - Video at QDF spring calendar launch @ Rialto - Pre-Productions photos - Media call @ Rialto video - Media Call photos
Davyn Ryall Artistic director	Paul Van Dyck Director	Jacquline Van de Geer Choreographer	Peter Shaffer Playwright	Richard Smith Producer	Box Office All sales are non-refundable and non exchangable. On line at: www.lavitrine.com P.D.A. 145 Ste-Catherine W. Tel: 514 285-4545 #1 Toll-free:1 866 924-5538 (Service charges apply.) Or in person at: ÉM café - Mile End, 5718 Ave. du Parc (Tel: 514 303-5735) (Cash sales only. No service charges.) Or at Rialto Theatre Box Office 5723 Ave. du Parc Telephone: 514 770-7773 (No service charges.) Or at: Priape 1311 Ste-Catherine E. Tel: 514 521-8451 (Service charges apply.)
REVIEWS OF THE PRODUCTION: http://www.2bmag.com/2011/04/bobby-lamont -shines-darkly-in-village-scene%E2%80%99s-equus-3865 http://www.orcasound.com/en/index.php/ component/content/article/10051-equus.html http://www.montrealgazette.com/news/todays-paper/Tormented+teen+steals+show+Equus/4627059/story.html http://sagegamin.blogspot.com/2011/04/equus-au-theatre-rialto-du-theatre.html http://patwhite.com/node/12520 http://communities.canada.com/montrealgazette/blogs/stageandpage/default.aspx http://www.zoneculture.com/th_equus.html				MEDIA COVERAGE: http://www.scenechanges.com/previews.html#equus http://www.montreal.tv/portail/blog/tag/equus/ http://www.montrealonthecheap.com http://www.hour.ca/stage/stage.aspx?iIDArticle=21476 http://charpo.blogspot.com/2011/04/advance-equus.html 2B Magazine with Jordan Arsenault Radio Centre-Ville 102.5FM Arts NoteBook, Saturday, April 2, 11:30-12:30. CBC Radio Home Run, Monday, April 4, 17:20. CFMB 1650AM with Stan Asher, Wednesday, April 6, 15:00. CFMB 1280AM CHAI with Lisa Winston CTV CFCF Christine Long, Friday, April 8, 12:00. CBC Radio CinqÀSIX Pierre Laundry, Saturday, April 9. CINQ 102.3FM RCV Voyages Musicaux with Simon, Tuesday, April 12, 23:00. Radio Centre-Ville Arts Notebook, Saturday, April 16, 11:30am, COMPANY COMMUNICATIONS : Communiqué 21 Mars - March 21 press release. Réservez ces dates 14 Mars - March 14 Hold these dates. 1 Mars 2011. - March 1, 2011.