As a performer, discuss how you would perform the role of Alan in this extract of the Equus in order to convey your interpretation of the character to the audience.

I intend to show Alan’s religious dedication to the horses through juxtaposingAlan’s physicality before and after the ‘horses’ enter the stage. I will begin the extract upstage right at ¼ profile right, making direct eye contact with the actor portraying Dysart, who stands centre stage left at ¾ profile left. I will use a relaxed posture with shoulders rolling slightly forward, un-tensed facial expression and with my arms hung loosely by my sides. Through this open body language, I will establish the unguarded nature of Alan and Dysart’s relationship at this point in the play. Demonstrating the progression from Alan’s use of belligerent song as a defensive mechanism to Dysart knowing that ‘under all that glowering, (Alan) trusts (him)’. I will then contrast this stillness as the ‘horse actors enter’ downstage by moving my shoulders back and pulling in my stomach to straighten my posture, and walking with a slow and solemn gait towards the horses. Through the reverential atmosphere, I intend to portray devout and sombre respect within Alan to communicate the ‘religious devotion’ element of Alan’s relationship with horses.