‘Equus’: Straight From The Horse’s Mouth
So … last night David and I had the great fortune to see Daniel Radcliffe, Richard Griffiths and Kate Mulgrew in the Broadway production of Equus which is currently in previews at the Broadhurst Theater here in NYC. I must admit, I wasn’t too familiar with the Equus plotline before seeing the show last night, other than the fact that the main character appears fully nude on stage at the end of the play. I really wanted to see the show as fresh as possible so as not to go in with any preconceived notions. I have to admit that I was pleasantly surprised by the show overall and was very, very impressed with the acting performances by all of the castmembers:
I suppose I had some vague notion of the sexual undertones of the play beforehand but I was not prepared for what was presented. I really want to keep my comments as vague as possible so as not to ruin the experience for anyone else choosing to see the show. The story is intense and the acting was superb. Richard Griffiths is truly a wonder on stage. I saw him in History Boys back in 2006 and he was just as riveting last night as he was in History Boys. Kate Mulgrew (who many of you may know as Captain Kathryn Janeway on Star Trek: Voyager) was a delight! In all honesty, I felt that she overacted a wee bit last night (and shades of Capt. Janeway showed thru as well) but I love her entirely and was thrilled to have her mere feet in front of me on stage. Daniel Radcliffe was a total revelation (pardon the pun). I’ve seen his non-Harry Potter acting style in the film December Boys and was very impressed with him then … in this show, he is just stunning. When it got down to the part where he and his young female co-star had to strip down BARE NEKKID on stage … the audience was enraptured. You could hear a pin drop, it was very intense. I will say that Daniel is very, very brave to take on this role night after night in front of sold out houses of people … and he never broke character once. And he doesn’t just stand there … he is all over the place, standing, laying, squatting — totally bare in front of the entire audience. He was totally believable as Alan Strang, horse whisper (well, okay … not quite a whisperer so much as a mutilator). Again, I was not prepared for the sexual nature of the show … but it was handled very well.
The staging, tho simple, was orchestrated expertly. There is basically nothing on stage and yet, the bare stage props were able to transform the stage into an office, a living room, a beach and a horse stable — just brilliant. As for the simple costuming, also brilliant! You really have to see the show to understand — and I urge those of you able to do so to see this show. I’d love to see it again. I’m utterly convinced that Equus will get many Tony nominations … the show is really top notch.
David and I were pleasantly surprised to learn that our 3rd row center seats actually turned out to be front row seats … totally unobstructed view of everything. And, cuz I’m sure many of you want to know, concerning Daniel’s nekkidness. I will say that, in his defense, it was really very cold in the theater … make of that what you will.
At the show, I got to meet Pink readers Heather and her sister Alysse (who share a pic of Daniel that Alysse took after the show last night) as well as Shannon and her friend Izzy (I got to take a pic with Shannon):
It was my pleasure meeting you all. I hope you enjoyed the show as much as I did.
After our night at the theater, we met up with David’s friends Issac, Shane, Trey, Marissa and her man Ryan at the New York Musical Theater Festival Opening Night Party in the theater district. I just love David’s friends … we had a blast …
… and then we came home and ate an entire NYC pizza :) ‘Twas a good night, indeed! Tonight we’re having dinner with David’s cousin Caren which should also be fun! There is also trip planning to take care of as well … bizzy bizzy bizzy.
Tags: 'Equus'
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September 16th, 2008 at 11:38 am
That blonde hair really does look good on you!! Good choice! I want to see this show even if he has raisenettes:)!!!
September 16th, 2008 at 11:41 am
Really? Was the comment on Daniel’s dick size really necessary???
September 16th, 2008 at 11:53 am
To be technical, I took the picture – not Heather! It was really cool to meet you there and I loved the show (and Daniel, too! He was wonderful). Heather and I also had pizza after it, gotta love those NYC slices.
September 16th, 2008 at 11:55 am
I’m that Heather, bitches!!!!!!!!!!!
Ok, though really, Trent was awesome and the show was amazing.
September 16th, 2008 at 11:59 am
I wasn’t commenting on size, only on the theater temperature. If you are interested in size, you can judge for yourself here: http://pinkisthenewblog.com/home/2008/09/daniel-radcliffe-debuts-on-broadway-nekkid/
September 16th, 2008 at 12:01 pm
It was a great show, and I’m glad we got to meet you afterward. Anyone living within the NYC Tri-State Area – GO SEE EQUUS!
September 16th, 2008 at 12:02 pm
TRENT! It was so nice meeting you! The show really was amazing. I’m so glad Izzy and I are seeing it again on Saturday (in the regular seats this time).
September 16th, 2008 at 12:03 pm
I <3 your snappy responses Trent!
September 16th, 2008 at 12:40 pm
PS – it was awfully cold in there. That said, Daniel being naked was not even a factor in the show itself. At point in the play you are so wrapped up in the story line that the nudity really does not play any kind of significant role, IMO. I can honestly say I didn’t even find myself looking just to look. And, when I talked to Daniel after the show, never once did it cross my mind that I just saw Harry Potter’s magic wand.
I daresay he deserves a Tony nom for his performance. He was brills.
September 16th, 2008 at 12:51 pm
My friends and I having 3rd row tickets in October, and I’m VERY excited to see this show! We’re actually flying from Kansas just to see it…..hahaha. :)
September 16th, 2008 at 12:53 pm
Maybe it was cold out in the audience, but up on stage, it was HOT. At times I was sweating up there, but then we were a lot closer to the lights I guess. The stage seats were really cool though, you got to see the actors from such a different angle…literally. When they stripped down and the girl was laying on the blocks, she looked like a painting. It was really cool. And I agree with Heather about the nudity not even being a factor. I was way too wrapped up in the story to even think “Gosh, Dan Radcliffe is naked”.
September 16th, 2008 at 2:05 pm
I guess hes a grower and not a shower?! and please dye your hair back to brown…youre not 23 anymore.
September 16th, 2008 at 2:06 pm
JANEWAY! She always overacted a smidge on Voyager and “Pulling a Janeway” is an oft-used phrase in my household for that reason (hello I’m a geek), but i love her anyway!
September 16th, 2008 at 5:38 pm
How was the lighting Trent? I have to ask because my boyfriend is a lighting designer for theatre (his dream is to one day do Broadway, maybe win a Tony?) and he always complains that people overlook the lighting.. hehe..
September 16th, 2008 at 7:33 pm
Ugh, I saw Equus a few years ago in Canada and the play was ok, but a Tony?? Maybe for acting, if the actors deserve it, but the play itself is mediocre, imho.
September 16th, 2008 at 8:31 pm
Actually the play already won a Tony in 1973, so yes it’s a Tony award winner play. It’s very different to see it performed in some theatre than to see it on Broadway with the original designer John Napier (Tony winner to), the greatest actors, great sound and lightening, the most talenter young director from London, the best Broadway dancers playing the horses…
And I don’t think someone can comment on a person’s dick just watching a play or some pics, we all know it’s very different when something is ‘in action’ than when something is in front of more than 2000 people in a cold theatre. But we can comment on the huge talent of these actors.
September 16th, 2008 at 9:52 pm
I’m sorry the color looks terrible. Terrible. I gues it’s a love it or hate it look because you’ve gotten so many raves, while I was in horror upon looking at it.
September 17th, 2008 at 6:27 am
Sad that Dan’s manhood had to be mentioned but I’m glad that everyone who’s seen the play at least enjoyed it. I saw it in London and it was incredible.
Dan’s set the bar really high with this choice of role, hope he continues to make choices like this in the future.
September 17th, 2008 at 11:49 am
Thanks for the recap, Trent! So glad you enjoyed the show. Quick question: do you know if Kate Mulgrew did the whole stage-door meet-and-greet after the performance? I’m going to the show on Oct 12 and was hoping for an “oh my God you rule” moment with her. I can’t wait to see everyone in action, esp my homegirl Capt Janeway! :D :D
September 17th, 2008 at 1:19 pm
Amy – Kate Mulgrew did not do the stage door appearance post-show on Monday night. It was just Richard and Dan, seperately from each other. After the show you must boogie outside and have your ticket ready to be let into the barricade area. Enjoy the show, it was wonderful.
September 18th, 2008 at 9:49 am
Hmmm…I saw the show on Sept. 5 and I also thought that Kate Mulgrew was a bit “shouty.” Which surprised me because I’d heard she was a very good stage actress.
Daniel is very good and I kind of wish I had seen him on the London stage so I could compare. (The person sitting next to me set the stage settings were exactly the same as London.)
I didn’t know until later but Richard Griffiths had also acted with Emma Watson in a non-HP movie. I guess he’s kind of the touchstone directors pick when they need him to guide the young actors.
October 18th, 2008 at 2:30 pm
My 3rd row seats to the show ended up being front row also! I was pleasantly surprised! :)