@ Bedlam Theatre, Edinburgh, until Fri 6 Mar 2015

Edinburgh University Theatre Company bite off more than they can chew by taking on Peter Shaffer’s controversial, thematically complex tale of a psychiatrist and a troubled young man. Whilst there’s no denying the enthusiasm and understanding of the text, the trouble lies in the heavy-handed performance of the piece.

We follow psychiatrist Dr. Dysart as he attempts to understand his latest patient, Alan Strang, a 17-year-old-boy who has taken an alarming attraction to horses that has ended in a violent act. This is generally a two-hander that relies heavily on the two main actors to delve into Shaffer’s richly layered text. Unfortunately, however, Charley Cotton does not have the gravitas needed as the psychiatrist. His performance comes across as a caricature of a doctor, down to the dowdy costume and heavily-coated aging make-up.

He is not alone though – supporting actors playing a nurse and fellow psychiatrist come across equally one-dimensional. It’s as though the depiction of psychiatry has come walking out of an episode of The Simpsons. Cast members sit at the side of the stage for long stretches of time as the main action takes place but it adds nothing to the piece and is more of a distraction. Performances from the small cast are generally shaky, monologues are played at full pelt and there’s a failure to bring much light and shade to proceedings. This causes pacing problems when there is a lack of variety to the performances.

There is a saving grace in Douglas Clark’s performance as Strang, however. He perfectly embodies the physically and emotionally awkward patient with a performance that manages to be both frightening and piteous. A risk pays off with the depiction of the horses, as four dancers take to the stage in nicely choreographed moments that capture the scarily erotic quality that attracts Strang to them. EUTC are definitely to be commended for taking on such a difficult text, and director Emily Aboud does occasionally manage to capture the essence of the play. The piece may have perhaps benefitted from a shorter adaptation though, as it would have covered over some of the difficulties faced in tackling such a complex play.