The other guy in "Equus," the one without the lightening bolt

Back when I was writing about the film adaptation "The History Boys," I was jazzed to discover that its star, Richard Griffiths, one of England's finest who took nearly every award imaginable for playing fallen classics teacher Hector, would be returning to the boards in London's West End. He would be playing Martin Dysart, the troubled psychologist who peers into the darkness of the human soul _ his own included _ when counseling a boy who blinded six horses with a metal spike.

The play _ in case this is sounding familiar _ is Peter Shaffer's "Equus." Dysart's a great role. Anthony Hopkins has played it, as has Richard Burton (in the film as well), Douglas Campbell and Anthony Perkins. Locally, East West Players produced it about a year ago with Mr Sulu George Takei in the role.

Anyway, Griffiths is sort of a national treasure in England. He's also a cool interview, a very off the cuff, say anything kind of guy. In a different year, maybe he gets a supporting Oscar nomination for "The History Boys."

So when he goes back on stage, that's news, right? Not this time. Because playing young Alan Strang, the horse blinder, is none other than Daniel Radcliffe who the world better knows as screendom's Harry Potter. What's more, Strang spends a portion of the play nude.

Now the play's about to open in London with talks of a Broadway transfer, and all anybody can think to talk/write about is the transformation/reinvention of Daniel Radcliffe. Poor accomplished Mr. Griffiths (who people like to point out plays Uncle Vernon Durdsley in the Potter vehicles) is relegated to the "also starring" depths. This despite "Equus" being DYSART'S PLAY!!

Griffiths didn't address potential hoopla over a kit-less Harry when he mentioned the "Equus" gig. He did say that the run would last as long as Radcliffe did, and that once DR was pulled for the next "Potter" film, that would probably signal at least the temporary end of "Equus." Griffiths added that he hoped to be pulled for further "Potter" duty as well.

I expressed the hope that he (Griffiths) might be persuaded to re-up with "The History Boys" if and when it ever tours the U.S. To which Griffiths replied that, while such a prospect was unlikely, he was "eminently corruptible."

Now that's what I like to hear.