Equus: Fine production, but little sympathy for audience

Walking into the British School auditorium for the first time, to see Equus, I found the building chosen for this drama was not at all ‘mature audience’ friendly.

Firstly, parking was difficult and in the rain, not near the hall– in a strange neighbourhood and a unlit lane with no security around. The main doors were closed – why I could not fathom and the approach was from the side.

We had to climb two flights of steep stairs, with only one entrance to a large auditorium. Still another climb to the seats. After charging quite an amount for the tickets, the air-conditioning was knocked off or considerably lessened, during the whole production. It was quite a warm audience watching a hot production.

Before the play began, we were warned about mobiles, and a new addition, not to munch food during the performance. However, in the interval we were approached by an usher and warned not to partake in the auditorium, but to get up, walk down the steps, out of the only entrance and then have any food. Then to get back again, within 15 minutes.

This was a long play, more than two hours with another hour minimum for travelling to and from your home. I could not see the relevance of not having any bites in the interval which did not disturb the play. As it is there were no eats on sale, so we had brought a sandwich from our homes.

To compensate, the production itself was of an extremely high standard, each person in the cast was superb. We look forward to more, but a little understanding for us mature people please.

By Amitha Jayewardene, Colombo