NOTD~by nisha

After much speculation in the media and online, DanRadcliffe.com was delighted to exclusively announce recently that Dan will be involved in an upcoming production of Equus, which will be playing on the West End during early 2007. After originally turning down the role- due to timing constraints- Jenna was finally able to confirm that Dan will be playing the role of Alan Strang in the production.

Dan sent this message to Jenna, to pass on to his fans:

"I'm really excited to be part of this production and thrilled to be working with Richard Griffiths again. This is obviously a huge departure for me as an actor, but Equus is such an amazing play that this really was an opportunity not to be missed.

Rehearsal starts in January and I am very much looking forward to working with Thea Sharock who is an incredibly talented director. I only hope I do the role justice."

A little about the play... (courtesy of Jenna)

Peter Shaffer's Equus first premiered in 1973 in London, England and won a multitude of awards. Equus focuses on the relationship between seventeen-year-old Alan Strang (Radcliffe), who has blinded six horses with a spike, and Martin Dysart (Griffiths), a middle-aged psychiatrist who tries to figure out what drove Strang to commit the crime.

Shaffer based the plot on an allegedly true story told by a friend about a young man who blinded a stable of horses.

The play itself is quite complex, interwoven with symbolism, underlying truth and meaning, passion and madness. It is not suitable for a younger crowd.

Richard Griffiths (Uncle Vernon in the HP series) will be playing the part of the psychiatrist, Martin Dysart. Thea Sharock will be directing the production with rehearsals beginning in January 2007.

All speculation about the possible "nudity" involved in some of the scenes is unconfirmed at this stage. There have been various renditions of this production without nudity, so everyone should refrain from speculating until a decision is made by the director.

It is highly possible that the production will not feature any nudity. This is a production of great emotional and psychological magnitude, it's not about nudity (and contrary to uneducated reports, the entire role is not in the nude!!!!). There are of course graphic sequences within the plot, but again, remember, it is not real - it will be acted.

Tickets for this production are NOT available as the theatre has not yet been selected. Once a theatre has been selected we will announce it on the site. The play is set to open some time in Spring 2007, perhaps with previews as soon as mid-February, but nothing has been confirmed yet.

We wish Dan every success in this new and exciting stage of his acting career!!

~nisha!