Equus was something of a controversial play. In both of its major productions, it received primarily favorable reviews, but many found the violence and explicit content gratuitous. There were also several professional psychologists who took offense to the play's portrayal of analysis. However, it was ultimately popular and successful. The original West End and Broadway productions, as well as the 2008 revival, featured many popular actors, including Richard Burton, Anthony Hopkins, and Daniel Radcliffe.
Equus was influenced by the Scottish psychiatrist R.D. Laing, whose work was very popular in the 60s and 70s. Laing believed that acute patients were often creative and passionate, and...
