Wednesday Jan 31, 2007

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Normally I don't write about political / cultural stuff (at least not a lot as I try to keep this about my life) but on the drive home from RS's place this morning I heard the most disturbing news ever.

Parents are upset that Daniel Radcliffe (of Harry Potter fame) is the lead actor in Equus. Their outcry comes from the role calling for the actor to be naked for part of the play and that the character blinds six horses. They fear their children will imitate his behavior because they adore him greatly as HP.

Have these people even read the play? I'm sure these were the same people who fought to keep Harry Potter books in school and most likely made the argument, "But if you read them they are wonderful!"

Equus is an amazing commentary on society's conflict between sex and religion. The psychology behind the main character's actions is but a sample of why kids act the way they do today. The piece was written in the 70s (if I remember correctly) and yet it's still applicable.

I'll spoiler the breakdown of the play in case anyone has a chance to see it, which if you do, you should. This description does not do justice to the play whatsoever. Please read it or go see it if you can.

SPOILERS! (Click to view)


Through a series of interviews with a psychologist, we find out the main character, whose name I've obviously forgotten, grew up with a strictly religious Christian woman (think almost like that crazy bitch from that wife swapping show). Mom reads bible stories to her son every night before bed, and pays particular attention to certain passages filled with violence (again working off memory because I lost my copy).

Dad on the other hand is completely atheist. Of course the two fight over religion with the young boy caught in the middle.

His fascination with horses comes from a trip to the beach where a horse and its rider give him a jaunt around the beach when he's about 5. Mom and dad freak out and scream about the boy possibly getting killed and that the rider is reckless. But that ride was the most wonderful and amazing thing to this young boy who has been completely repressed, for his own good of course.

Twelve years later he ends up getting a job at a stable. Oh the joy! He gets to know a pretty girl who works there. They end up on a date and she talks him into having sex, which of course he hasn't ever done because of his mother's obsession with religion.

And as they get down to it, he freaks out. All he can see is Equus, his horsey god (basically he blends the image of Christ and horse and creates his own god).



Additionally, parents should realize Radcliffe isn't going to sit around and only ever do Harry Potter. He's an actor. Don't their kids understand that? This is an amazing opportunity for him. If I was anywhere near where this play was being produced I'd be the first in line to see it. I'm sure he'll do an amazing job.

Parents can be so ridiculously stupid. I understand wanting to shield your children from the evils of the world, but you must pick and choose your battles. If they grow up not knowing violence exists in the world, how will they function as adults? Ignorance will not make them any safer. You will not always be there to protect them.

VIEW 4 of 4 COMMENTS
koleeta:

They're outcry comes from the role calling for the actor to be naked for part of the play and that the character blinds six horses.


for shame.

Children taking their clothes off should be the least of their worries. How many of those children are going to see this production anyway?
gangstaswan:
I have no idea what you're talking about. I don't make mistakes like that.

That's my point as well. From the morning show I heard this on, they did say there were photos of him "naked" but they didn't go past the happy trail (so no bok ). But this calls for parents monitoring their kids a little better. When I searched for the information, I didn't find the pictures immediately (I actually didn't see any) so a kid would really have to look.

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