Teen actor Daniel Radcliffe won rave reviews from audiences and British critics following his stage debut in the controversial play Equus Tuesday night.

According to the Guardian newspaper, the 17-year-old actor — best known for portraying teen wizard Harry Potter in the film series based on J.K. Rowling's novels — proved he is "no flash in the magic pan."

Daniel Radcliffe, seen with co-star Joanna Christie, won praise for his stage debut in Equus in a role far from the boy wizard he portrays in the Harry Potter films.
(Peter Thompson Associates/Uli Weber/Associated Press)

The Daily Telegraph praised Radcliffe as "a thrilling stage actor of unexpected range and depth," while the Independent said he "cuts a compelling figure."

In Equus, about a troubled stable boy sent to a psychiatric institute after he blinds several horses with a metal spike, Radcliffe is "tested as an actor and found equal to the stretching role," said the Daily Mail.

U.S. actor Christian Slater, who was part of the star-studded audience who offered a standing ovation at Gielgud Theatre Tuesday night, praised Radcliffe for doing "what was required of the play," a revival of Peter Shaffer's 1973 psychological drama.

"He made it very accessible and human. I never thought for one second I was watching Daniel Radcliffe. I was watching Alan Strang," Slater said, referring to the main character's name.

Stage veteran Richard Griffiths, who won acclaim on both sides of the Atlantic last year for his lead role in The History Boys, was also praised for his performance in Equus as the psychiatrist interviewing Radcliffe's disturbed character.

The two are also co-stars in the Harry Potter films, in which Griffiths portrays the young wizard's vile Uncle Vernon.

'It was just a fantastic opportunity. … I wanted to prove I could do something else.'— Daniel Radcliffe, star of Equus
and the Harry Potter series

Radcliffe's choice to make his West End debut in Equus, which deals with themes of obsession and sexuality, made headlines around the world because of the controversial subject matter and the range the young actor would have to demonstrate in the lead role.

As Alan Strang, he is required to smoke, swear, appear nude and simulate sex with co-star Joanna Christie — a far cry from his brooding but clean-cut continuing role as Harry Potter.

"It was just a fantastic opportunity and the nature of the play is that it is such a more adult role," Radcliffe said.

"I wanted to prove I could do something else."

Equus is due to end its limited run June 9, but there is already talk of bringing the play to Broadway this year.

With files from the Associated Press and the Australian Broadcasting Corporation