Shaffer’s disturbing classic opens at the Gielgud Theatre Feb. 27, 2007, following previews from Feb. 16.

For the production directed by The Gate’s Artistic Director Thea Sharrock (A Voyage Round My Father), Radcliffe will take on his first leading role in the West End. Joining him will be Richard Griffiths, the Tony-winning star of The History Boys, who also appeared with Radcliffe in the “Harry Potter” movies.

In the revival of Shaffer’s 1973 play, Radcliffe will play the disturbed adolescent Alan Strang, an English stable boy who has blinded six horses with a spike. Griffiths takes on the role of psychiatrist Martin Dysart, who attempts to discover the source of Strang’s psychosis. Shaffer based the play on a true story told to him by a friend.

Equus producers David Pugh and Dafydd Rogers gave Radcliffe his first role in the West End as the celebrity guest in The Play What I Wrote. Shaffer’s play will make new demands of the 17-year-old actor. As Strang, Radcliffe will perform his first nude scene.

Like Shaffer’s The Royal Hunt for the Sun, currently revived by the Royal National Theatre, Equus premiered at the National’s Old Vic venue before transferring to Broadway, where the play won a 1975 Tony Award and ran for over 1,000 performances.

Equus, which is booking until June 9, 2007, will follow the West End transfer of Frost/Nixon.