“Equus” Begins Previews on Broadway

Sep 06, 2008

Posted by: SueTLC

Uncategorized

Previews of the play “Equus” starring actors Dan Radcliffe (Harry Potter) and Richard Griffiths (Uncle Vernon) began last night in New York, with the production to formally open on Broadway September 25. As a reminder and recap for those who are unfamiliar with this play by Peter Shaffer, Playbill.com has an article online which notes:

“Radcliffe and Griffiths, who played to sold-out crowds in the London revival of the Peter Shaffer play, reprise their work for Broadway audiences. Radcliffe stars as Alan Strang with Griffiths as Dr. Martin Dysart. Ever-busy stage and screen actress Kate Mulgrew plays Hesther Saloman, the role created on Broadway by veteran actress Marian Seldes in 1974.

In Equus, “psychiatrist Martin Dysart investigates the blinding of six horses, a savage act committed by an unassuming 17-year-old stable boy, Alan Strang, whose family life is rife with bigotry and religious fervor. As Dysart exposes the truths behind the boy’s demons, he finds himself face-to-face with his own.” Playwright Shaffer based the play on a true story told to him by a friend.”

The play contains very serious and mature subject matter, and includes a scene that requires Dan to appear nude. This apparently was the reasoning for some changes made to the stage, for the New York Daily News reported that John Napier, who designed this revival from London and the original 1974 Broadway version, was sensitive to Radcliffe’s celebrity and to the fact he appears stark naked. As a result, Napier raised onstage seats about 11 feet off the floor to keep the audience out of actors’ sightlines.

For further information on show times and ticket information, please click here. NJ.com also reports that special seats are available to see the play, with the article stating that “tickets are being sold to a double ring of 52 seats located above and at the back of the stage of the Broadway production…People who purchase these seats are requested by the management to dress in neutral-colored clothing and to refrain from wearing perfume or cologne.” Further information regarding the stage seating, is available via this link.

We understand that many of you will be attending the play in the next days and weeks; please feel free to leave your reviews or stories of your trip to the play in the comments below.





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