“Michael Cabot’s mesmeric interpretation is a Greek tragedy in many senses, played out on Kerry Bradley’s thoughtful, dimly-lit set resembling an ancient stone amphitheatre, and bordered by an arc of skeletal horse heads hovering in the gloom like disembodied Spartan warriors. It’s claustrophobic and choric; the cast never leaves the stage, instead maintaining a silent vigil, as Alan’s torments multiply beneath their collective fixed gaze. The dialogue barely rises above a whisper on occasions, and every performance, while strong and pivotal, is noticeably understated and controlled, commendably avoiding any histrionics that would diminish the story’s power.”
Simon Lewis – Gloucestershire Echo

“I knew Equus wasn’t going to be comfortable viewing. And I was right. What it was however, was disturbing, intense, shocking and probably the best piece of theatre I have seen in recent years.”
Caroline Cook – Reading Post

“There’s something raw and frightening about London Classic Theatre’s production. In Kerry Bradley’s inspired set design – a semi-circle of stone-coloured steps, like an amphitheatre in miniature – there’s no escape for the characters in Peter Shaffer’s play. Michael Cabot’s direction exploits this tension, from Strang’s obsessional fantasies – including sequences of physical theatre in which he re-enacts riding on his beloved horses – to the power of the performances.”
Will Ramsey – The Stage

“The heads of horses silently surround the stage in London Classic Theatre’s compelling production of Peter Shaffer’s unique psychological adult thriller. They watch the action before rearing to life to fill Alan’s world. Matthew Pattimore presents a youth filled with anger at the world, but with an aching vulnerability that draws in the audience and makes them fill his pain. He’s battling more than the normal package of teen demons and the production is as fresh and haunting as when the play was first staged back in 1973. An outright winner.”
Marion McMullen – Coventry Telegraph

“The ensemble cast are all excellent. Particular mention must go to Stuart Angell who brings Nugget, one of the horses and a favourite of Strang’s, vividly to life. Wearing one the of aforementioned horse’s heads and moving with balletic grace, the suspension of disbelief is completed by realistic horse sounds. This was quite breathtaking.”
Selwyn Knight – The Public Reviews

“London Classic Theatre has visited the Everyman Palace many times in recent years but this is probably their best marriage of play and production. Matthew Pattimore  is very convincing in portraying both the brittle vulnerability and stirring passions. Malcolm James gives a fine performance as he offers himself as our conduit for the teenager’s agonies but also offers us a whole host of questions about our lives.”
Liam Heylin – Cork Evening Echo

“Although the premise of Peter Shaffer’s psychodrama is the shocking blinding of six horses with a metal spike, there is little judgment of the 17-year-old perpetrator, Alan Strang, brilliantly played by Matthew Pattimore. It is to the actor’s credit that this disturbed character is sympathetic. Pattimore’s portrayal is of a gauche, angry and confused teenager who is initially resistant to the probing of his psychiatrist.”
Colette Sheridan – Irish Examiner