Daniel Radcliffe Still Set to Star in Equus on Broadway

Daniel Radcliffe is still planning to reprise his role as troubled teen Alan Strang in Peter Shaffer’s Equus, which is expected to open on Broadway at a Shubert Theatre this fall, the actor told TVGuide.com. Radcliffe says that filming on the now-two-part Harry Potter and the Deadly Hallows will begin in early 2009. The revival, first seen in London, will co-star Tony Award winner Richard Griffiths and be directed by Thea Sharrock.

Equus tells the story of a deeply disturbed 17-year-old boy, and the psychiatrist who attempts to treat him. The play contains a lengthy nude scene during which Strang blinds six horses with a spike.

In addition to his work in the London production of Equus, Radcliffe’s stage experience includes a guest starring role in the London production of The Play What I Wrote.

The original Broadway production of Equus opened in 1974 and ran for 1,209 performances. Peter Firth and Anthony Hopkins created the roles of Strang and Dysart, respectively; Hopkins was succeeded in his role by such actors as Richard Burton, Alec McCowen, Anthony Perkins, and Leonard Nimoy. The 1977 film version of Equus, directed by Sidney Lumet, starred Burton and Firth.