Harry Potter and the Miscast Play

Hot off the press from Playbill.com:

"Harry Potter"' actor Daniel Radcliffe is to take on his first leading role in the West End next year in a revival of Peter Shaffer’s Equus. No venue for the Thea Sharrock-directed production has been confirmed, but previews are reportedly due to start Feb. 16, 2007. opening Feb. 27. Joining Radcliffe in the production will be the Tony-winning star of The History Boys, Richard Griffiths, who also appeared with Radcliffe in one of the "Harry Potter" movies.

A marketer's dream? Perhaps. But how will those little Harry-ites react to their hero masturbating while blinding cute horsies?

Or as Playbill more diplomatically puts it: "Shaffer’s play will make new demands of the 17-year-old actor. As Strang, Radcliffe will perform a sexual act while riding naked on a horse."

Griffiths seems wrong for the part, too, come to think of it. As good as he is.