‹EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH SUKI SAURUS, DIRECTOR OF FORGE THEATRE'S PRODUCTION OF 'EQUUS' OPENING APRIL !4 IN PHOENIXVILLE, PA
Who made the selection of 'Equus' and why'
The Board of Directors wanted to make a bold choice and give the Forge audiences something more to sink their teeth into than the usual fare. They typically put out a list of potential shows to an approved list of directorial candidates and see what visions bounce back. I've wanted to direct this show since I was a teenager, so I jumped on the opportunity and submitted my ideas. I was lucky enough to be chosen, and here we are!
Is there any connection to contemporary events and cultural shifts that make this play especially relevant at this time'
Professional dissatisfaction and adolescent displacement are always relevant in any era. This show reaches to the extreme of both concepts, making “extremity the point”. The ideals held by each character will all be relevant to someone sitting in the audience. Whether it is the staunch religious beliefs of Mrs. Strang, Mr. Strang’s dislike of what is essentially pop culture and the lack of educated pursuits by young people, or the firmly held faith in helping others that Hesther exudes. Or how the horses are always hungry and looking for treats. Literally everything about this show is relatable in some way, no matter who you are.
What are the unique challenges you and the cast and crew face in tackling this play in the community theater world'
Scheduling has been the hardest part, if you can believe it. I decided to cast very active, very talented actors and it has led to a lot of finessing. It’s tough when you want to use people that everyone else also wants to use. But as any director will tell you, that is hardly a unique challenge, but rather a consistent one. As for unique – I have never directed an actor who was not sighted before. This was a learning experience for me as a director. Lucky for me my “Hesther” is brilliant, and was incredibly easy to work with. People will point to the nudity as the most unique challenge, but the nudity is such a brief portion of the show that it should not override the emotional depths to which my actors must go, which I saw to be exhausting for them at times. Equus is about worship, extremity, trauma, and the question of healing – nudity is merely one of the many tools with which those ideas are achieved.
How do you picture the audience and surrounding community responding to the show'
There was a little bit of push back at first, but for the most part there has been a lot of support and encouragement from not only the Phoenixville community, but from other local theatres as well. Once opening night arrives, and the word gets out about the deeply committed cast and emotionally gripping work, I believe that the response will be a positive one. Not only for taking on such a bold piece, but for how astounding the story really is.
Tell us something about your background as a theater person generally and as a director.
I went to school for Acting/Directing, and worked with an improv company in the PA/NJ/NY area for a few years. After that production closed, I got back into more structured theatre by directing shows. I have found that I prefer to direct, as I enjoy tweaking the palette of an entire piece rather than focusing on one individual part as an actor.
Tell us a little about the cast you've assembled.
My actors are all in various stages of their creative development, and all of them are truly entrenched in this show. My horses have all put a lot of energy into their animal characteristics, and have become a solid team. My humans have likewise invested a good deal into their roles, reaching deeply for the emotional information they need for their characters. All the actors are onstage for almost the entire time, acting as a kind of Geek chorus.
Give us a brief history of Forge Theatre.
This is from the Forge Website: “Forge Theatre has been bringing live theatre to the community for 50 years. As with many community theatres, we wandered about without a home for the first several years of our existence. In the early 1970s, we acquired the former F.B. Neiman and Sons Funeral Home. After some significant remodeling, the building at 241 First Avenue in Phoenixville became our permanent home beginning in our twelfth season.”
What do you most want the audience and actors to take away from the experience of seeing and participating in this production'
I would love for my audiences to leave talking about the significance of what they witnessed. I want them to argue about whether Dysart is right or wrong, I want them to root for his dream of traveling. I want them to mourn for Alan’s ‘individuality’ while they hope for his recovery. I want them to leave the theatre having been changed.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THIS PRODUCTION, PLEASE VISIT https://forgetheatre.org/54th-season/equus/
Show Dates April 14, 15, 21, 22, 23, 28, 29, 30. Friday and Saturday performances are at 8:00 PM; Sunday performances are at 2:00 PM. Adults $15.00.