Fans of Harry Potter both Muggle and magical are getting a present for Harry’s birthday this year. On July 30th, one day before the eponymous fictional character’s fictional 36th birthday, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child opens at the Palace Theatre in London’s West End. Today we have our first look at Harry, Ginny, and their son, Albus Severus Potter as they appear nineteen years after the events of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. The play promises to build on the events from the book series, and the book of the play is being touted as the 8th Harry Potter novel.
The show promises to demonstrate the difficulty young Albus must face as he strives to live up to his famous father’s legacy. It will be interesting to see an older Harry, Ginny, Ron, and Hermione grappling with the adult responsibilities of raising a family and bringing in galleons to put food on the table. Since the show is set in the present day, it will also be charming to see the characters react to the everyday magic of a smartphone (youngsters these days with their SnapCat and WhatsOwl) in addition to the fantastical magic of Hogwarts.
J.K. Rowling wrote the script in collaboration with Jack Thorne. Prolific stage director John Tiffany is at the helm of the show, with other famous collaborators including Imogen Heap throwing their creative muscle into the mix. The play will be performed in two parts, implying that we will be able to add a lot to the lore of Harry’s wizarding world once the show goes public.
In advance of the July 30th opening, previews start the week of June 7th. Tickets can be purchased through the Palace Theatre’s website. For those of you unable to make it to London but dying to know what happens next for the Wizarding World’s first family, the book of the script goes on sale on July 30th, the same day the play opens. Let’s hope the show apparates across the pond to bring the magic to the American stage for a US tour.
Also, check out the Granger-Weasleys and the Malfoys below.
