Congratulations are in order tonight for several members of the Harry Potter films for their work on the British stage. The annual Whatsonstage.com Theatregoers’ Choice Award winners have now been announced, with actor Dan Radcliffe (Harry Potter) winning the “London Newcomer of the Year” for his performance in the play Equus. Equus was also named “Best Play -Revival” and the “AKA Theatre Event of the Year,” which involved Dan Radcliffe’s publicity photos for the play.
UPDATEThanks to Julie who let us know Dan remarked on learning of his win for these awards: “I’m truly delighted to have won this prestigious award and thank you so much to everyone at Whatsonstage.com for voting for me. Equus is a tremendous and thought-provoking play, and I’m so proud and honoured to have been a part of this incredible production. Thank you to Peter Shaffer, Thea Sharrock, Richard Griffiths, David Pugh, Dafydd Rogers and Barbara Houseman for having faith in me – playing the role of Alan Strang will remain one of the greatest experiences of my life.”
In other awards, Dame Maggie Smith (Professor McGonagall) took top acting honors as Best Actress in a Play for her work in “The Lady from Dubuque” at the Theatre Royal Haymarket,” and Fiona Shaw (Aunt Petunia) won the “Best Solo Performance” award for her performance in “Happy Days” at the NT Lyttelton. The Whatsonstage awards will be presented at the Lyric theater in London, England this Sunday, February 24. Congratulations!
I voted for Dan. Enjoyed the play Equus, also enjoyed Maggie’s play too. Saw it the night before Dan gave his last night performance in Equus. Maggie’s play the 8th June, Daniels last performance 9th June.
Maggie Smith is so fantastic. It’s a shame she doesn’t get to do more in the films, but that’s partly Jo’s fault for not making McGonagall more integral to the plot!! Hopefully she’ll still get the great moment where she’s fighting Snape and commanding the suits of armour in DH!
Posted by performingmonkey on February 22, 2008, 02:40 PM
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To all who have seen Equus: Is Dan’s….erm…..you know…..is it SEXY?
The books are about Harry Potter not Professor McGonagull—there is just the right amount of her to support the main character in the story.Steve Kloves writes the screen play to incorperate the characters into the story-if he doesn’t write more of her in it than it is his fault ,not Jo Rowling’s.The part Maggie Smith portrays in the films is a supporting roleas are ALL the adult roleswhich she apparently has not problem withas she should notgetting a chance to just act
is what all good actors should want not the size of the part or where it is to be played[tv,stage,or films]
BRAVO! again to all the winners.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
no David, it could have gone pear shaped and then… catastrophe! Hence it was a brave decision that earned a lot of respect from people in the business, especially since he also proved the nay sayers wrong.
It proves the point that the HP films have some of the best actors in the world. Congratulations to all the winners, and especially to the HP casting crew.
So kids, the moral of the story is: If you have talent, work very hard to learn your craft properly, if you are brave and take advantage of good opportunities when they appear in your life, then you have a good chance to lead a successful life.
Totally deserved!
Dan’s performance was absolutely unbelievable (though I never doubted that), let alone this choice!
Congraz to everyone!
David, sry, but you obviously don’t know what you’re talking about!
Posted by MischiefManaged on February 22, 2008, 11:20 PM
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Woo! Congrats to everyone! I’m really excited for Equus to hit the States in the fall. I’ll be returning to the East Coast for my brother’s wedding and plan on taking a detour to NYC to see Equus on Broadway! (Hey, who knows, maybe I can trick the girls into making it the bachelorette party adventure…)
Congrats to all! I’ve loved Dame Maggie since I was a wee little one and I saw Hook for the first time. She definitely deserves any award she receives and I think Fiona Shaw is simply brilliant.
Dan is really hot. Equus, Kipling, December Boys HARRY POTTER…he played them so well. Congratulations Harry Potter, Prof. McGonoggal and Aunt Petunia . Can’t wait for Equus to come to Broadway.
“Public nudity will get you attention, granted, but it will NOT make your life successful. That’s just silly.”
Double thumbs up, Caroline! Lots of actors and so called “performers” stripped off but only 1 out of 20 succeeds. Anyway, congrats to Dan for a well deserved award. I’d have wanted him to win a Sir Lawrence Olivier award but I guess that’s a little too soon. Hope he attends the ceremony so we can have new Dan pics!
I voted for Dan. Enjoyed the play Equus, also enjoyed Maggie’s play too. Saw it the night before Dan gave his last night performance in Equus. Maggie’s play the 8th June, Daniels last performance 9th June.
Val Honey Canada.