Jenny Agutter and Will Kemp Join London 'Equus' Cast

Full casting has been announced for the upcoming London revival of Peter Shaffer's pyschological drama Equus, featuring the much-publicized stage debut of Harry Potter star Daniel Radcliffe. 

The production, directed by Thea Sharrock, will begin previews at the Gielgud Theatre on February 16th, 2006, and open on February 27th, 2007.  It is booking through June 9th.

As previously announced, Radcliffe will play Alan Strang, an emotionally troubled boy who has been blinding horses.  Tony Award-winner Richard Griffiths (The History Boys) will play Martin Dysart, a psychiatrist who tries to help Alan.  Joining them are Jenny Agutter as Hesther Saloman and Will Kemp as the horse Nugget, according to London Theatre Guide.

Joanna Christie, Jonathan Cullen (I), Colin Haigh, Karen Meagher, Gabrielle Reidy, Greig Cooke, Joel Corpuz, Temujin Gill and Jami Quarrell will also be featured.

Agutter, who won a BAFTA as Jill for her performance in the 1977 film version of Equus, has appeared on London stages at The National Theatre and the Royal Shakespeare Company, among others.  A former child and teen star, she has appeared in dozens of films and TV shows, including "The Railway Children," Star!, Logan's Run, An American Werewolf in London, Dark Tower, Child's Play 2, and "Spooks."

Kemp is a dancer and actor who has appeared in numerous works choreographed by Matthew Bourne, including Swan Lake, Adventures in Motion Pictures and The Car Man.  Film credits include "Pinocchio," Van Helsing and the upcoming Miguel and William, in which he'll appear as Shakespeare.

Equus won the 1975 Tony Award for Best Play.  Starring Peter Firth as Alan Strang and Anthony Hopkins as Martin Dysart, with Marian Seldes, Frances Sternhagen and others in the cast, it opened at the Plymouth Theatre on October 24th, 1974 and ran for 1,209 performances.  Firth and Richard Burton starred in the 1977 Sidney Lumet-directed film.

Visit www.ticketmaster.co.uk to order tickets.

Photo - Jenny Agutter, courtesy of www.bbc.co.uk