THEATER

The Naked Truth

Daniel Radcliffe takes it all off on Broadway. Does anyone care?

By Ramin Setoodeh | NEWSWEEK
Published Sep 25, 2008

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  • Posted By: Fabrisse @ 09/26/2008 3:52:38 PM

    You obviously didn't check out the internet discussions at Harry Potter websites from when the original announcement was made before he appeared in this play in London.

    There was a great deal of outrage, particularly among parents, about his choice to expand his range as an actor by performing in Equus. The sense of betrayal floored me. Those of us without children saw a young man taking control of his career by choosing a classic play that hadn't had a major revival. This was not the most common reaction.

    Combined with the delay on the sixth movie, this may harm the Harry Potter franchise. It certainly will if all the people who were so vociferous about keeping their children away from the movie because Radcliffe betrayed the character actually do so.

    I hope it won't. I'm trying to get tickets for later in the run because I want to see Equus, and I want to see whether Radcliffe has as much promise as a stage actor as he does on screen.

    • Posted By: rlobn @ 09/26/2008 5:56:40 PM

      A few misguided parents may have objected. The evidence is quite conclusive, prudery is harmful and it is especially harmful to children. The differences are not small. Try comparing outcomes for teenagers in the USA with say Denmark or The Netherlands. Pregnancy and abortion both about ten times higher. young people become sexually active about 6 months to a year younger. STDs much more common. For example Gonorrhea about 70 times more likely. Attitudes that have that effect can only be described as child abuse.

  • Posted By: westwingpotus @ 09/26/2008 4:48:54 PM

    I realize that the media today has to make news when there isn't any news, but actually writing an article about the fact that there isn't any news is a first. Ramin Setoodeh has managed to make himself simply look out touch. (Honest to God Newsweek, where did you get this guy? A cave?)
    Think about it, he's managed to churn out an entire article about a NON-issue in the theatre and poses a question to which the answer has been "No", for 40+ years. Where has he been? Did he miss the non-issue that was "Take me Out" (or a dozen other shows I could name just in the last 20 years) What's next, a expose on the fact that no one cares seems to care that women were given the right to vote? LOL Going to the theater tends to take more planning and effort than wandering into your multiplex at the mall and theater patrons tend to be better educated about the productions they see. They want, expect, and accept more from theatre and always have.
    As for Radcliffe, I understand that he gives a very nice turn in this role, although I haven't had the opportunity to see it yet. (I have ticket for December) Sure, there are always going to be the few freaky HP fan that can't make the distinction between character and actor. But in reality, one only has to go to the multitude of harry potter fan boards to see overwhelming support for this young man and his endeavors to grow as an actor. JK Rowling has seen Equus and you're not going to get anyone who is much more protective of Harry Potter than that, and her fans to their credit, take their cue from her.
    Ramin, obviously you had a deadline and yet, had nothing to write about. But when you have nothing to say, it really is best that you just remain silent, you look less foolish that way. But I guess I can look forward to your next article telling me the sky may be blue, but no one seems to care.

  • Posted By: jacobus57 @ 09/26/2008 1:21:23 PM

    "When Daniel Radcliffe does it onstage, it doesn't seem risqué anymore. Actually, it seems quaint." With this comment, Ms. Ball definitively reveals her ignorance of Equus. Peter Shaffer never meant the nudity to be "risque;" he used it as a dramatic device, and as such, its effect should not be diminished by time. Such ignorance of theatre should not be given a forum.

  • Posted By: jgb2004 @ 09/26/2008 11:05:53 AM

    Nobody cares because it's old news. He started performing in this play a long time ago in England, I believe. The pictures have been out there for a long time already.

  • Posted By: jeafink @ 09/26/2008 9:42:14 AM

    To me, it's not about the nudity. It's about Daniel Radcliffe moving on before Harry Potter films end. He's doing it with style and brilliance......BRAVO!!!!!

  • Posted By: jeafink @ 09/26/2008 9:35:22 AM

    Daniel Radcliffe is just breaking away from the goody Harry Potter role......which I love. He is doing the right thing by starting to move on before the last Harry Potter film.

  • Posted By: FATJOEY @ 09/26/2008 6:53:38 AM

    must be difficult,showing your penis next to a horse's? no win situation? it has to look small!?

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