Can we discuss Equus without talking about Daniel bloody Radcliffe?

Question

I just finished reading the play, and it's a shame that most of the information about it is "OMG DANIEL RADCLIF IS NEKKIED IN IT, PIXPLZ!!!"

I loved it, I'm definitely going to reread it and other stuff by Shaffer. I have to do a monologue for Drama class, and I'll probably do one from Equus. It was amazing, and I just hate how it's been contaminated by pre-teen girls who are attracted by the fact that Harry Potter's naked in it. (Even though I, myself, am a teenage girl.)

Answer 1

I did a production of Equus late last year. I played Dora.

I loved the script and thought the use of people as horses gave a very different dimentition to the production, doing it with real horses would be an almost impossible challenge. We had an awesome designer who did our horse heads from wire with each horses mane of a different material.

The real challenge in doing this show is do you go with the traditional staging [which was novel when done in the 1976 premier performance] or make it yours.

There is actually a film version of Equus with Richard Burton as Dysart.
http://us.imdb.com/title/tt0075995/

And I agree with John below, Dysart is the most compelling character in the show.

Answer 2

Give it some time. The play has been around a while, and there have been some exceptional productions. Daniel Radcliffe is a hot property at the moment, but he's young; he'll move on to other projects, and people will forget about his role in Equus.

Answer 3

Of course! It is amazingly written, and the story is intense. It gives so much freedom with the design elements, depending on what the design team come up with for a concept, they can go anywhere with the types of materials used. The characters are well written, I find. All in all, it is one of my favourites. I give it to people as gifts :) I'm trying to convince my acting chair to get the rights to it so we can work it, because it would be absolutely amazing.

What are your views? I'm curious.

Answer 4

I once played Martin Dysart, and I think he's actually the more interesting character. Much more complex.

Answer 5

yes dan is naked in d play.but d play is not abt a nude dan.it's abt alan n his morbid fascination w. horses n jill. so who cares if girls go ga-ga-ga over dan's parts?he's just an actor who did a darn good job.