Potter star's nude stage debut (Daniel Radcliffe to appear naked on stage with Uncle Vernon)

Sydney Morning Herald ^ | October 16, 2006 - 11:06AM

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Harry Potter star Daniel Radcliffe's West End debut is destined to turn heads - literally - as he plays a nude sex scene in the round.

Britain's Daily Mail reports that Radcliffe has been cast as Alan Strang, a young horse-fancier, in a new production of Peter Schaffer's hit play Equus, which is set to return to the West End in February.

When first staged in 1973, the play shocked audiences - the actor playing Strang must simulate sex while naked on horseback.

The controversy is set to continue next year, with 60 seats being placed on the stage of the West End's Gielgud Theatre for each performance.

The Daily Mail predicts that the seats on stage are going to be the most sought-after in London when they go on sale.

Radcliffe will co-star with Richard Griffiths, who plays a therapist brought in to find out why the disturbed groom has blinded six horses.

Griffiths also plays Harry's Uncle Vernon in the Potter series, and was seen in Sydney in the hit play The History Boys this year.

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Hopefully, Uncle Vernon will leave his clothes on.

I'll bet Hugh Hefner has Hermoine's 18th birthday circled on his calendar.

[TheRobb7]

"(Daniel Radcliffe to appear naked on stage with Uncle Vernon)"

We'll have all that, and more, coming up next on "Too Much Information"...........

/sarc

[danneskjold]

I'll bet Hugh Hefner has Hermoine's 18th birthday circled on his calendar.

I bet Mark Foley's got next February circled on his...

[MineralMan]

Well, that's the end of Harry Potter then, innit?

Actually, I'm surprised there haven't been a bunch of scandals already from these young actors. As for Hermione, I don't know. I doubt she's going to be posing nude for Hefner.

[frogjerk]

Along with Barney Frank.

[danneskjold]

true...

[trimom]

I never understood how all this passed as art.....must be my deep lack of sophistication.

Or maybe just flat country common sense.

[SIDENET]

This sounds really GAY.

[fieldmarshaldj]

I hope they keep the theater warm, for the boys' sake. ;-)

[jalisco555]

I saw Equus in it's original Broadway run. It was pretty good and quite shocking for it's day. I wonder how it would seem now.

[ozoneliar]

This sounds really GAY

I haven't seen or read the play, but from what I've heard it apparently is not.

[jeremiah]

When Walt Disney was in his heyday, this kid would either tow the line in a moral sense, or lose his job. I liked that part of the past myself.

[tumblindice]

"It's a magic wand . . ."
Harry Potter!

[dead]

Wasn't Mr. Spock in it on Broadway?

He'd be way worse naked than Harry Potter, but better than Scottie.

[r9etb]

This sounds really GAY.

Nah ... I'm sure they'll use a girl horse. No queer, that Harry.

[null and void]

ping?

[jalisco555]

Wasn't Mr. Spock in it on Broadway?

Maybe, although not in the cast I saw. I know that Nimoy played Sherlock Holmes on Broadway around the same time, maybe that's what you're thinking of.

BTW, for those who are wondering if this is a gay type play, IIRC the sex in Equus was of the hetero type. A girl is naked along with the guy in the nude scene.

[NaughtiusMaximus]

"It's a magic wand . . ." Harry Potter!

If you don't stop doing that, Harry, you'll go blind! (And you wear thick glasses already.)

[retrokitten]

Sorta HP ping.

[TheBattman]

This play is just another example of the "shock-value" writers that gained popularity in the 70's - and continue today. Exactly what artistic, literary, or stage value is there in intentionally writing in a "Nude sex scene on horseback"?.

It is all about shock value and "because I could" mentality. More unregenerate filth.