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Equus

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Equus - starring Daniel Radcliffe and Richard Griffiths.

This fall, Broadway is graced by Harry Potter stars, Daniel Radcliffe and Richard Griffiths. They are starring in the West End sell out transfer of Peter Shaffer's 'Equus' at The Broadhurst Theatre, NYC. This show has created huge controversy, primarily due to one scene that sees Radcliffe completely naked. So, what's all the fuss about?

Equus Poster

"This is a performance by an actor of real potential," Michael Billington (The Guardian.)

"The emergence of young Dan Radcliffe in the artistic raw, tested as an actor and found equal to a stretching role." Quentin Letts (The Daily Mail)

Read the Script

Equus

by: Peter Shaffer

Amazon Price: $4.57 (as of 02/16/2012)

An explosive play that took critics and audiences by storm, Equus is Peter Shaffer's exploration of the way modern society has destroyed our ability to feel passion. Alan Strang is a disturbed youth whose dangerous obsession with horses leads him to commit an unspeakable act of violence. As psychiatrist Martin Dysart struggles to understand the motivation for Alan's brutality, he is increasingly drawn into Alan's web and eventually forced to question his own sanity. Equus is a timeless classic and a cornerstone of contemporary drama that delves into the darkest recesses of human existence.

Alan and his Horses

What Did I Think?

I saw this production of Equus, in London 2007. I thought it was alright, but I wanted more from Radcliffe. I saw the second preview, so his performance was still finding it's feet (there was a rather embarrasment moment at the end, where Richard Griffiths had to show him how to bow!)

I really wanted to love this show, as I was in a production of it with a theatre company a few years previously, but I was left with a strange taste in my mouth. I couldn't help feeling that there are better actors out there who could take on the role. Radcliffe was, for me, just OK. He didn't have enough diversity in his performance, the only diversity was in his vocal projection - quiet, loud, or shouting. Richard Griffiths was superb, as I had hoped. The production as a whole was 'revived' from it's original conception in the 70s, recreating the wired horse masks, as using a minimalistic set.

Promo Shots

Harry Potter Gets His Wand Out

The strange taste in my mouth, was scepticism. After seeing Radcliffe's disappointingly bland and shouty performance, I couldn't help feeling that it was stunt casting that gave him the part. Having a name like, Daniel Radcliffe, in a lead role that goes fully naked on stage, is a guaranteed sell out. Who isn't interested to see whether or not he actually takes his clothes off?

I find something distasteful about it. I don't know why. I'm not a prude by any means. I only find it distasteful because Radcliffe is so strongly associated with Harry Potter - an icon of children's literature. Millions of children look up to him and adore him...and now, still a teenager, he is appearing naked infront of hundreds of people.

I suppose I also wouldn't mind so much, if it wasn't the topic of conversation everytime someone talks about the show. If there's a publicity shot, it's of Radcliffe topless. No-one stops and talks about the fundamental issues of a young teenager growing up with psychiatric help. No-one talks about the interesting stage design or the beautiful horse mask. All people seem to care about is Daniel Radcliffe getting taking his clothes off and showing everyone his 'wand'.

Watch the Film

Equus

Amazon Price: $6.97 (as of 02/16/2012)

This Oscar®-nominated* adaptation of Peter Shaffer's Tony Award-winning play erupts on the screen with the same power and passion as the stage original. Richard Burton gives "one of his best performances ever" (Boxoffice) in this "elegant and provocative" (Newsweek) tale ofmyth and madness. What would drive Alan Strang (Peter Firth), a troubled adolescent stable boy, to blind six horses with a metal spike? Psychiatrist Martin Dysart (Burton) investigates these unspeakable acts and delves deep into Alan's psyche, confronting the mysteries of sexual passion and madnessas well as the dark demons buried within his own soul. *1977: Actor (Burton),Supporting Actor (Firth), Adapted Screenplay

Martin Dysart (Griffiths) and Alan Strang (Radcliffe)

What Did The Critics Say...

NICHOLAS DE JONGH for THE EVENING STANDARD says, "Dated, though still gripping psychological drama...Radcliffe's touching, little-boy lost Alan never convinces you he is wild with desire for horses or girls. Equus still fascinates, but this revival lacks horse-power."

CHARLES SPENCER for THE DAILY TELEGRAPH says, Powerful revival...Daniel Radcliffe brilliantly succeeds in throwing off the mantle of Harry Potter, announcing himself as a thrilling stage actor of unexpected range and depth."

DAVID LISTER for THE INDEPENDENT says, "If the production is well served by Radcliffe, he is not that well served by the production. The director, Thea Sharrock, fails too often to capture the tension in this psychological thriller... No caveats can fully detract from the punch that this powerful and haunting play still packs."

MICHAEL BILLINGTON for THE GUARDIAN says, "Forget all the prurient press speculation about Harry Potter's private parts. The revelation of this revival is that Daniel Radcliffe really can act...As a story, it is compelling."

BENEDICT NIGHTINGALE for THE TIMES says, " Radcliffe proves an assured actor...though gripping and theatrically skilful, Equus is at root dated, pretentious and even a bit pernicious...good theatrical effect...an enjoyable play. "

Alan Strang (Radcliffe)

Is Daniel Radcliffe Right For The Part?

Is it stunt casting? Are there better actors out there? Is Radcliffe too associated with Children's Literature to go naked on stage?

Is Daniel Radcliffe right for the part of Alan Strang?

Fetching blurbs now... please stand by

Absolutely. He's a fine actor, why not?

dreamsgate says:

While I imagine a lot of people will go just to see him naked (which is more a comment on their own oddness ), in order to break the stereo type of being Harry Potter he needs to explore as many different types of roles as he can.

Posted September 21, 2008

No. Its stunt casting, people just want to see Harry Potter naked

trinity says:

Posted November 10, 2011

chathuri says:

dan Is a good actor but I think there are good actors for this rool
dan Is a liitle boy

Posted December 01, 2008

susannaduffy says:

Just call me cynical, bitter and twisted. What a publicity stunt

Posted October 02, 2008

kmdphotography says:

I think the controversy is intended just to sell more tickets!

Posted September 20, 2008

LucyVet says:

I have to say I agree with you, and don't like this kind of obsession with him being naked when he's a character very associated with children and still so young. But of course, he's perfectly entitled to take any role he wants.

Posted September 18, 2008

MarcoG says:

Ok, ok, Radcliffe is a good actor...but still, his being in THIS play, is all about selling tickets! There ARE better actors out there for this role.

Posted September 16, 2008

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Equus

Equus - starring Daniel Radcliffe and Richard Griffiths.

Read the Script

What Did I Think?

Harry Potter Gets His Wand Out

Watch the Film

What Did The Critics Say...

Alan Strang (Radcliffe)

Is Daniel Radcliffe Right For The Part?

Is Daniel Radcliffe right for the part of Alan Strang?

Absolutely. He's a fine actor, why not?

dreamsgate says:

No. Its stunt casting, people just want to see Harry Potter naked

trinity says:

chathuri says:

susannaduffy says:

kmdphotography says:

LucyVet says:

MarcoG says:

Get All 5 Daniel Radcliffe, Harry Potter Films

Strang and Dysart

Daniel Radcliffe = Harry Potter

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Plays by Peter Shaffer

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Richard Griffiths Films

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