Just back from London, and I’ve got to say that ‘Equus’ was amazing. Totally amazing. It’s not often we get to go to the West End to see something, but this has reminded both of us about why exactly we should make this a regular thing.

I’d read the play as an undergraduate but I’d forgotten about the humour in it. I suppose it gets pushed to the side a bit with all of the disturbing psychological issues of Alan and the queries of what Dysart actually does to young minds. Richard Griffiths was every bit as good as we expected, with beautiful dry humour delivered to perfect effect in sharp contrast to Dysart’s growing unease. I’ve not seen him on stage before, but having done so now, I can declare myself a huge fan.

As for Dan Radcliffe, he was somewhat of a surprise. He looked absolutely shattered by the end of the performance (not sure how he would manage an evening show on top of the matinee!) and he was obviously putting everything he had into it (and no, I don’t mean the nudity there!). Some elements of Alan Strang he really got, and it was a good performance that was very gripping in places. Other parts, not so much. He never fell out of role, but the emotional depth of the character wasn’t always as rounded as it could have been. Then again, he’s still only 17 and it’s more than a bit of a challenging role. He did himself credit.

I loved the set - a series of black boxes that the actors moved around as the action went on to form the stage, as well as the fact that it revolved when Alan was riding at night, faster and faster to build up the sensation of movement and the climax of the moment. Very, very simple, but incredibly effective. However, the horses were absolutely the real stars. I can see exactly why they selected dancers for the roles and it really paid off - the movements all helped the suspension of disbelief - and iron hoofs and heads easily became ‘real’.

The story, as always, is deeply disturbing, but it was so well done. Would I see it again? Like a shot. It’s been quite a while since I’ve seen anything as good on stage. Even my hubby was blown away.

As for the ‘Harry Potter Naked!’ headlines… well, yes he was. He’s a braver person than I am, but it’s just such a shame that the press focused on that one scene when the rest of the production was so good. Typical!