London Equus — Starring Radcliffe and Griffiths — Closes June 9
By John Nathan
09 Jun 2007
 |
 |
Daniel Radcliffe and Joanna Christie in the West End revival of Equus.
|
| photo by Uli Weber | Daniel Radcliffe will take his final bow in the London revival of Peter Shaffer's Equus June 9 at the Gielgud Theatre.
The Harry Potter star made his West End leading-role debut in Shaffer's 1973 drama at London's Gielgud on Feb. 27 following previews that began Feb. 16.
Radcliffe drew positive reviews from the critics and lots of attention from gossip columnists, who were more excited about the nude scene in which Radcliffe bares all.
The London cast also includes the the 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.
Thea Sharrock's production will be heading for New York next spring with, it is thought, Radcliffe and Griffiths reprising their roles in a May or June 2008 transfer. There are also plans for a production in Australia.
Following the final performance in the West End, a 12-week U.K. national tour will begin at the Theatre Royal, Bath on Aug. 28.
In the revival of Shaffer's 1973 play, Radcliffe plays the disturbed adolescent Alan Strang, an English stable boy who 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 reunited Radcliffe and Griffiths, who appeared together in the "Harry Potter" movies. 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.
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.
The London production of Equus was designed by the play's original designer, John Napier.
 |
|
Daniel Radcliffe stars in the West End production of Equus.
|
| photo by Uli Weber |
Contact Us | Advertise | Privacy Policy
Send questions and comments to the Webmaster
Copyright © 2008 Playbill, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
|