Why should art delve into the murky, uncomfortable corners of the human psyche? According to Sukrit Mahajan, the director of Equus (reimagined by Playhouse Production), theatre is not just about entertainment — it’s about holding a mirror to the deepest parts of ourselves, even those we’d rather keep hidden. Few plays embody this philosophy as profoundly as Peter Shaffer’s Equus , a searing psychological drama that lays bare the entangled forces of obsession, shame, and desire. First staged in 1973, Equus tells the story of Alan Strang, a teenager whose inexplicable act of violence — blinding six horses — sets the stage for an exploration of faith, repression, and the fragility of the human mind.
Now, Sukrit brings this Tony-winning classic to Indian audiences, using shadow theatre and a profoundly personal lens to illuminate the shadows within. “The first play I ever acted in was Equus ,” Sukrit recalls, reflecting on his college days. “It changed the trajectory of my life and career.
Revisiting it as my debut production with Playhouse Productions felt like coming full circle.” This deeply personal connection, paired with Sukrit’s training at Drama School Mumbai, infuses his adaptation with fresh interpretations. Drawing inspiration from Carl Jung’s theory of the ‘shadow self,’ Sukrit examines the repressed parts of the psyche — those hidden, shameful truths we suppress even from ourselves.
“Every character in Equus has a shadow self,” Sukri.
