Equus, with "Harry Potter" Star Radcliffe, Begins London Previews Feb. 16
By John Nathan
16 Feb 2007
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Daniel Radcliffe and Joanna Christie star in the West End revival of Equus.
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| photo by Uli Weber | "Harry Potter" star Daniel Radcliffe begins previews Feb. 16 in his first leading role in the West End with the London revival of Equus. Peter Shaffer's disturbing classic officially opens at the Gielgud Theatre Feb. 27.
The cast also includes Tony-winning star of The History Boys Richard Griffiths; Jenny Agutter, best known for her appearance in the 1970 film version of The Railway Children; and Will Kemp, star of Matthew Bourne's Swan Lake.
Agutter also appeared in the 1977 movie version of Equus, winning a Best Supporting Actress BAFTA for her performance as Jill Mason. In the current stage production, Agutter plays Hesther Saloman.
In the revival of Shaffer's 1973 play, Radcliffe plays 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.
The production is directed by Thea Sharrock (A Voyage Round My Father), who recently finished her term as artistic director of West London's Gate theatre.
Equus reunites Radcliff and Griffiths, who appeared together in the "Harry Potter" movies. The cast of also features Joanna Christie, Jonathan Cullen, Colin Haigh, Karen Meagher and Gabrielle Reidy, and includes Greig Cooke, Joel Corpuz, Temujin Gill and Jami Quarrell.
Equus producers David Pugh and Dafydd Rogers gave Radcliffe his first role in the West End as a celebrity guest in The Play What I Wrote. Shaffer's play will make new demands of the teenage actor. As Strang, Radcliffe will perform a nude scene.
Like Shaffer's The Royal Hunt for the Sun, recently revived by the Royal National Theatre, Equus premiered at the National's Old Vic venue. It then transferred to Broadway where the play won a 1975 Tony Award and ran for over 1,000 performances.
Equus is designed by the play's original designer, John Napier.
For more on Equus call (0)870 50 0915.
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Daniel Radcliffe stars in the new West End production of Equus.
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| photo by Uli Weber |
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