# 17-year-old Daniel Radcliffe to appear nude on stage **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [January 30, 2007, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/17-year-old-daniel-radcliffe-to-appear-nude-on-stage/390148 "2007-01-30T19:14:59Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![LifeOnWry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/96bed5/32.png) [@LifeOnWry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LifeOnWry)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2007, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/17-year-old-daniel-radcliffe-to-appear-nude-on-stage/390148/1 "2007-01-30T19:14:59Z")
Harry Potter star Daniel Radcliffe is starring in a revival of the play _Equus_ in London’s West End. His character, Alan Stang, “is involved in a lengthy nude sex scene.” I am of two minds here. On the one hand, I think it’s very brave and admirable of a kid that young to tackle such a difficult role. On the other hand… :eek: Some parents-as-critics have objected, some going so far as to say they will not allow their children to see any further Harry Potter movies. Others have lauded the actor for this break from the child-actor mold. [Linkie](http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/showbiz/article-23383624-details/What+will+Hermione+say%2C+Harry/article.do) is nominally work-safe. Radcliffe is shown nude, but the photo cuts off just before any naughty bits. (I do not know how to make a double-click link, so if a mod wishes to alter that so it’s risk-free, please do.) ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2007, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/17-year-old-daniel-radcliffe-to-appear-nude-on-stage/390148/2 "2007-01-30T19:17:39Z")
He’s not a kid. He’s 17. It’s art. I guess I just don’t really have a problem with it. And man, he grew up kind of - hot. While I don’t have a problem with it, I think I am possibly a little too old - 31 - to drool over him the way I’m tempted to in that shot. Wow. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2007, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/17-year-old-daniel-radcliffe-to-appear-nude-on-stage/390148/3 "2007-01-30T19:19:16Z")
What’s the age of consent in the UK? I need to know how guilty I’m supposed to feel for looking at that picture. ---
**Author:** ![Gary\_Robson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gary_robson/32/3448_2.png) [@Gary\_Robson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_Robson)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2007, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/17-year-old-daniel-radcliffe-to-appear-nude-on-stage/390148/4 "2007-01-30T19:20:21Z")
England’s child pornography laws must differ from the U.S.'s. Wouldn’t that be illegal here, since he’s under 18? ---
**Author:** ![Revenant\_Threshold](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f1d935/32.png) [@Revenant\_Threshold](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revenant_Threshold)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2007, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/17-year-old-daniel-radcliffe-to-appear-nude-on-stage/390148/5 "2007-01-30T19:22:02Z")
[QUOTE=Miller] What’s the age of consent in the UK? I need to know how guilty I’m supposed to feel for looking at that picture. [/QUOTE] 16, for both heteros and homos. You’re fine. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2007, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/17-year-old-daniel-radcliffe-to-appear-nude-on-stage/390148/6 "2007-01-30T19:23:41Z")
[QUOTE=Revenant Threshold] 16, for both heteros and homos. You’re fine. 😛 [/QUOTE] What’s the age of consent in NYS? Do you know? Because I have the same question. ---
**Author:** ![Revenant\_Threshold](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f1d935/32.png) [@Revenant\_Threshold](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revenant_Threshold)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2007, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/17-year-old-daniel-radcliffe-to-appear-nude-on-stage/390148/7 "2007-01-30T19:31:28Z")
[QUOTE=Anaamika] What’s the age of consent in NYS? Do you know? Because I have the same question. [/QUOTE] According to Wikipedia, 17. So it’s between you and your conscience on that one. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![bouv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bc8723/32.png) [@bouv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bouv)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2007, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/17-year-old-daniel-radcliffe-to-appear-nude-on-stage/390148/8 "2007-01-30T19:42:11Z")
[QUOTE=InvisibleWombat] England’s child pornography laws must differ from the U.S.'s. Wouldn’t that be illegal here, since he’s under 18? [/QUOTE] Not every instance of someone appearing nude under the age of 18 is illegal in the US. A classic and recent example is Thora Birch baring her breasts in _American Beauty_ at only 17, same age as Radcliffe, and that was in a movie, not just on stage. I wouldn’t be surprised in laws for stage nudity are different as well. ---
**Author:** ![Wee\_Bairn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/90db22/32.png) [@Wee\_Bairn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wee_Bairn)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2007, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/17-year-old-daniel-radcliffe-to-appear-nude-on-stage/390148/9 "2007-01-30T19:47:44Z")
There’s nudity in Equus? Dare I ask in what context? ---
**Author:** ![Honey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/honey/32/5074_2.png) [@Honey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Honey)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2007, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/17-year-old-daniel-radcliffe-to-appear-nude-on-stage/390148/10 "2007-01-30T19:54:25Z")
That link says “scroll down for more”. What a tease. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![outlierrn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/outlierrn/32/3005_2.png) [@outlierrn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/outlierrn)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2007, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/17-year-old-daniel-radcliffe-to-appear-nude-on-stage/390148/11 "2007-01-30T19:55:44Z")
He looks old enough to me, and I don’t swing that way. Seriously though, I understand that adolescents can be vulnerable to manipulation by older adults, and don’t always understand long term consequences so society should place some constraints on sexual ACTIVITY. But WHAT THE FUCK does that have to do with art, I continue to not get it. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2007, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/17-year-old-daniel-radcliffe-to-appear-nude-on-stage/390148/12 "2007-01-30T19:56:03Z")
Most of the demographic that would be offended by the play are probably anti-Harry Potter anyway because of it’s friendly portrayal of witchcraft. When it comes down to it, and the kids are pitching a holy fit, they’ll let them see the new movies. ---
**Author:** ![MovieMogul](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f08c70/32.png) [@MovieMogul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MovieMogul)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2007, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/17-year-old-daniel-radcliffe-to-appear-nude-on-stage/390148/13 "2007-01-30T19:58:04Z")
[QUOTE=Wee Bairn] There’s nudity in Equus? Dare I ask in what context? [/QUOTE] From what I recall in the movie:[spoiler]He tries to get it on with the cute daughter, but doesn’t. He also runs around the stable naked a bit. In short, no man-on-horse loving. For that, you’ll need to see [this](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0874423/) (which just premiered at Sundance).[/spoiler] ---
**Author:** ![Equipoise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/equipoise/32/151_2.png) [@Equipoise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Equipoise)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2007, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/17-year-old-daniel-radcliffe-to-appear-nude-on-stage/390148/14 "2007-01-30T19:58:58Z")
This was a good role for Radcliffe to take. This is a great way to remind people that he and Harry Potter are getting older and ready to come of age. It’s absolutely perfect timing. I support him 100% (though I’m still a bigger fan of Ron/Rupert). [QUOTE=LifeOnWry] Some parents-as-critics have objected, some going so far as to say they will not allow their children to see any further Harry Potter movies. [/QUOTE] Since the movies are no longer kid’s movies, if the children are young enough to need their parent’s permission to see a PG-13 rated movie, they are better off staying home (though it’s too bad they have to live with such illogical parents). Why would anyone feel guilty about looking at the pictures? There’s no nudity in either one (shirtless, yes, but the pictures cut off at the waist). ---
**Author:** ![C3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/c3/32/3108_2.png) [@C3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/C3)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2007, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/17-year-old-daniel-radcliffe-to-appear-nude-on-stage/390148/15 "2007-01-30T20:00:56Z")
[QUOTE=Equipoise] Why would anyone feel guilty about looking at the pictures? There’s no nudity in either one. [/QUOTE] It’s not the looking, it’s the lusting. ---
**Author:** ![Darryl\_Lict](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/7cd45c/32.png) [@Darryl\_Lict](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darryl_Lict)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2007, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/17-year-old-daniel-radcliffe-to-appear-nude-on-stage/390148/16 "2007-01-30T20:02:36Z")
Interesting article. **Jenny Agutter** appeared nude in the 1977 film version? I may have to add that to my Netflix queue! Plus, according to IMDB, she was 18 in the film **Walkabout**. Now I don’t feel like such a pervert! ---
**Author:** ![Big\_Norse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/big_norse/32/9954_2.png) [@Big\_Norse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Big_Norse)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2007, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/17-year-old-daniel-radcliffe-to-appear-nude-on-stage/390148/17 "2007-01-30T20:02:41Z")
[QUOTE=LifeOnWry] Some parents-as-critics have objected, some going so far as to say they will not allow their children to see any further Harry Potter movies. Others have lauded the actor for this break from the child-actor mold. [/QUOTE] What I want to know is why are these parents bringing their kids to see Eqqus? ---
**Author:** ![Jodi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/7feea3/32.png) [@Jodi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jodi)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2007, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/17-year-old-daniel-radcliffe-to-appear-nude-on-stage/390148/18 "2007-01-30T20:05:19Z")
[QUOTE=LifeOnWry] Harry Potter star Daniel Radcliffe is starring in a revival of the play _Equus_ in London’s West End. His character, Alan Stang, “is involved in a lengthy nude sex scene.” . . . Some parents-as-critics have objected, some going so far as to say they will not allow their children to see any further Harry Potter movies. [/quote] I can certainly see people being a little uncomfortable with it – “He’s only 17!” – but he’s not six, for heaven’s sake. But I completely don’t understand the mentality that because he’s nakie in _Equss_ the kiddies can’t go see the next Harry Potter. One has eff-all to do with the others, and the kids won’t even know about “Harry’s” nakedness if Mom and Dad don’t tell them. I agree with **hajario** that those sorts of hysterics probably will find another reason to boycott HP, if not this one. Personally, I’ve always found the nudity of _Equus_ to be . . . well, not gratuitous, but not strictly necessary. You could do a dressed _Equus_ with no problem, but that would kill the whole “It’s _Equus_! It’s edgy! They’re naked!” angle. Frankly, nudity is so much less of a big deal today that I see casting “young famous 17 year old” as an attempt to put that edginess back in – and a pretty ham-handed attempt, if you ask me. But if Daniel Radcliffe (and his parents) are okay with the full monty, then it’s none o’ my business. ---
**Author:** ![MovieMogul](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f08c70/32.png) [@MovieMogul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MovieMogul)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2007, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/17-year-old-daniel-radcliffe-to-appear-nude-on-stage/390148/19 "2007-01-30T20:06:13Z")
[QUOTE=Darryl Lict] Interesting article. **Jenny Agutter** appeared nude in the 1977 film version? I may have to add that to my Netflix queue! Plus, according to IMDB, she was 18 in the film **Walkabout**. Now I don’t feel like such a pervert! [/QUOTE] Jenny Agutter’s never been hotter than in _Equus_, but it’s a long shot with a red filter, so as revealing as it is, it’s not nearly revealing enough. ☹ Oh, yeah, Richard Burton’s pretty good, too (though not naked). ---
**Author:** ![LifeOnWry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/96bed5/32.png) [@LifeOnWry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LifeOnWry)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2007, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/17-year-old-daniel-radcliffe-to-appear-nude-on-stage/390148/20 "2007-01-30T20:06:14Z")
[QUOTE=Big\_Norse] What I want to know is why are these parents bringing their kids to see Eqqus? [/QUOTE] Yeah, good question - though from the news item linked, it seems people are objecting 1.) to the fact of this actor in this role and 2.) that the theatre/director/whoever is specifying no minimum age requirement to see the play. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/17-year-old-daniel-radcliffe-to-appear-nude-on-stage/390148.md?page=2)