Equus will open on Broadway in Spring 2008.
It has been confirmed that the London production of Equus, by Peter Shaffer, will have a Broadway run in the Spring of 2008.
Equus, opened at London's Gielgud Theatre on 27 Feb 2007, and is closing its limited run at the Gielgud Theatre on 9 June 2007.
A 12-week UK national tour will open at the Theatre Royal Bath on 28 Aug 2007, with casting to be announced. The Broadway production will be followed by an Australian production.
Equus: Alan Strang seems a normal, obedient 17-year old with a passion for horses. Then one night he blinds six horses with a hoof pick. What drove him to it? His life seems routine, his family loving, his pursuits harmless and yet he has been placed under psychiatric surveillance - an unresponsive patient who is woken each night by terrible nightmares. Only psychiatrist Martin Dysart seems able to grasp the answer to this psychological puzzle.
The play caused controversy because actor Daniel Radcliffe (Alan Strang) appears in full nudity. The role almost cost Radcliffe his contract in the future Harry Potter movies, with the producers initially expression concern that Radcliffe may no longer be suitable to play the 'innocent' child wizard, loved by millions of children who read JK Rowlings' popular novels.
Radcliffe is joined in the London production by fellow Harry Potter movie actor Richard Griffiths, who plays psychiatrist Martin Dysart. Much loved British actor Richard Griffith's recently came to the attention of Broadway audiances when he played the leading role of Hector in Alan Bennett's The History Boys, for which he received a 2006 Tony Award for Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Play.
The London production, directed by Thea Sharrock, also features Jenny Agutter (Hesther Saloman), Will Kemp (Nugget), Joanna Christie (Jill Mason), Jonathan Cullen, Colin Haigh, Karen Meagher, Gabrielle Reidy, Greig Cooke, Joel Corpuz, Temujin Gill and Jami Quarrell.
The show received mainly good notices from the popular press: Nicholas De Jongh for The Evening Standard: "Dated, though still gripping psychological drama."; Charles Spencer for The Daily Telegraph wrote, Powerful revival."; Michael Billington for The Guardian printed, "It is compelling."; Benedict Nightingale for The Times said, " 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."
In the 1977 movie adaptation of the play, London cast member Jenny Agutter played the role of Jill Mason for which she received a BAFTA for Best Supporting Actress.
Though there has been no confirmation is it expected that Daniel Radcliffe and Richard Griffiths will revive their roles for the Broadway production.
Daniel Radcliffe in Equus
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