Daniel Radcliffe today told of his “thrilling” experience on Broadway from noisily appreciative fans after receiving the best reviews of his career for the West End transfer The Cripple Of Inishmaan.
He heads an ensemble cast for the revival of Martin McDonagh’s darkly comic play and got rave reviews after it opened at the Cort Theatre in Times Square.
Radcliffe, who appeared on the New York stage in Equus and How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, is a box office draw but the play’s edgy story — about a disabled boy who dreams of being a film star in 1930s rural Ireland — made it a far from guaranteed hit on Broadway.
The show is selling out and Radcliffe told the Standard of his delight that the play is receiving such a noisy reception from his young fanbase. He said: “The audiences are amazing here. In London we laugh but we don’t ‘ooh and aah’ and we don’t gasp. It’s thrilling.”
Critics were equally loud in their praise. Ben Brantley of the New York Times, described the play as giving Radcliffe “the chance to deliver his most satisfying stage work to date”. The Hollywood Reporter said: “The Harry Potter star has never been better, more than measuring up in this flawless ensemble”.
The Cripple of Inishmann played at the Noel Coward Theatre last summer and marks the debut Broadway production from the London theatre company established by former Donmar boss Michael Grandage and James Bierman.
Director Grandage said: “Daniel’s performance has deepened since London. He’s built on it and it’s going into really dark places.”
