The Players’ Workshop Returns to Theatre with Peter Shaffer’s EQUUS

The Players’ Workshop returns to the theatre scene with Peter Shaffer’s ‘EQUUS’, October 18 – 22 at the Little Carib Theatre.

It has been nine years since The Players’ Workshop produced for the theatre. With the exception of producing the Dimanche Gras in 2014, the company has been dormant since their 2008 production of ‘Three Women’ won the NDATT‘s 2009 Cacique Award for Most Outstanding Production.

In an interview with the Trinidad and Tobago Performing Arts Network, Producer – Gregory McGuire credited Mervyn de Goes as the one to bring the company out of hiatus.

“Mervyn had a plan to do three plays beginning with Equus, which will be followed by two others to in 2018. This opportunity to put a new meal on the theatre menu was of tremendous interest to us, so we agreed to take on the challenge of producers, in collaboration of the Actors Lab.”

When asked what about Peter Shaffer’s EQUUS specifically appealed to him, McGuire said,

“A Good script has always been important to us. We don’t do lame. If you look back at our record of productions, they are mainly plays that provoke social consciousness around common themes.  We love plays that challenge society to look at itself, which for us (The Players’ Workshop) is what theatre is supposed to do.”

Inspired by a true story, Peter Shaffer’s passionate and gripping psychological thriller is considered a cornerstone of contemporary drama. The play has won multiple theatre awards including the Tony Award and New York Drama Critics’ Circle Award for Best Play and Outer Critics Circle Award for Most Outstanding Play. A review from The Sunday Times says,

“It is magnificent. Rarely does a contemporary drama probe so deep – an electrifying evening of theatre”

~ The Sunday Times

Mervyn de Goeas, the director for the Players’ Workshop’s production, characterises the play as a timeless contemporary classic that is heart breaking and an emotionally difficult piece for actors.

Introducing Makesi Algernon as Alan Strang, The Players’ Workshop’s production of Peter Shaffer’s EQUUS also stars Cacique Award Winning actors Cecilia Salazar and Michael Cherrie; Cacique Award nominated actor Keino Swamber; Brown Cotton Outreach’s Wayne Lee-Sing, UTT BFA Acting graduate – Kemlon Nero, The Actors Lab’s Avielle McArthur and Iyepha Biggot, Film and stage actor Andrew Hall, and features some of Trinidad’s most recognisable models; Kameel Ali, Christian John, Michaelo Richardson, Johnathan Samuel and Rakeem Moses as the play’s strapping  steeds.

Peter Shaffer’s EQUUS will play at the Little Carib Theatre from Wednesday 18^th – Sunday 22^nd October. Admission: $200

Patrons are advised that this play contains adult themes and may not be suitable for persons below the age of 18

For More information  call 497-1864, 682-4348, email theplayersworkshop84@gmail.com, or find The Players’ Workshop on facebook.