The play received enthusiastic critical reception, although the script was not received well by some of the Harry Potter fandom.[3] At the 2017 Laurence Olivier Awards, the London production received a record-breaking eleven nominations and won another record-breaking nine awards, including Best New Play. At the 2018 Tony Awards, the Broadway production won six awards, including Best Play. The play also set the record for highest all-time weekly ticket sales of any play, grossing over $2.5 million at the Lyric Theatre for the week ending 30 December 2018.[4]
In June 2021, the production team announced that the play would be re-staged as a single show for future performances on Broadway beginning in November 2021, as well the San Francisco, Toronto and Melbourne productions beginning in 2022. The existing two-part play will continue to be staged in London and Hamburg. Other details regarding the single-part version, such as length, have yet to be released.[5]
Background
In December 2013, it was revealed that a stage play based on the Harry Potter series had been in development for around a year,[6] with the view to bringing it to the stage sometime in 2016.[7] At the time of the announcement, author J. K. Rowling revealed that the play would "explore the previously untold story of Harry's early years as an orphan and outcast".[8] The following May, Rowling began establishing the creative team for the project.[9]
On 26 June 2015, this project was officially confirmed under the title of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child,[10] and it was revealed it would receive its world premiere in mid-2016 at London's Palace Theatre.[11] The announcement marked the eighteenth anniversary of the publication of the first Harry Potter novel, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone,[12] published on 26 June 1997.[13]
On announcing plans for the project, Rowling stated that the play would not be a prequel.[14] In response to queries regarding the choice of a play rather than a new novel, Rowling stated that she "is confident that when audiences see the play they will agree that it is the only proper medium for the story".[15] Rowling also assured audiences that the play would contain an entirely new story and would not be a rehashing of previously explored content.[16] On 24 September 2015, Rowling announced that the play had been split into two parts.[17] The parts are designed to be viewed on the same day or consecutively over two evenings.[18][19]
The play is divided in two parts, consisting of two acts each.
Act One
In the opening scene, set during the epilogue of Deathly Hallows in the year 2017, Harry and Ginny Potter send their younger son, Albus Severus, on the Hogwarts Express to begin his first year at Hogwarts. Harry works a desk job as the Head of Magical Law Enforcement at the Ministry of Magic, while Ginny is the editor of the sports section of The Daily Prophet. Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger also send their daughter Rose on the train. Hermione is now Minister for Magic, while Ron manages Weasley's Wizard Wheezes in Diagon Alley alongside his older brother George. On his first trip aboard the Hogwarts Express, Albus forms an unlikely friendship with Scorpius Malfoy, the son of Harry's former nemesis Draco and his wife Astoria (née Greengrass). Unlike his father, Scorpius is very polite and very nerdy. The school is stunned when, in a break with the tradition of Potters being sorted into Gryffindor, Albus is sorted into Slytherin alongside Scorpius.
Both boys are bullied by other students over the next few years, Albus due to his perceived failure to live up to his parents, and Scorpius due to unproven rumours that he is the son of Lord Voldemort. Astoria then passes away due to a fatal disease. Albus and Harry drift apart due to Albus's struggles with his father's shadow and Harry's uncertainty on how to deal with his son's problems. Albus also drifts apart from Rose, with whom he was close before meeting Scorpius. The summer before his fourth year, Albus gets into a fight with his father after being given the latter's baby blanket and a love potion from Ron. During the fight, Harry angrily says that he sometimes wishes Albus was not his son, and Albus spills the potion on the blanket.
Harry obtains a prototype of a more powerful version of the Time-Turner that allows one to travel into the past and change history. Simultaneously, Harry's scar starts hurting again, causing him to become concerned that Voldemort may be returning. Amos Diggory, who has become old and is cared for by his niece Delphi, asks Harry to use the Time-Turner to prevent the death of his son, Cedric. After overhearing Harry refuse to help the Diggorys, Albus is inspired to do so and convinces Scorpius to help him. The two escape from the Hogwarts Express to visit Amos, and they team up with Delphi to steal the Time-Turner from Hermione's office, in the Ministry of Magic, while disguised with Polyjuice Potion.
Act Two
Knowing that Cedric's death was the result of him winning the Triwizard Tournament[1] alongside Harry, the boys use the Time-Turner to travel back to the first tournament challenge in 1994. The two disguise themselves as Durmstrang students in an attempt to sabotage Cedric to prevent his victory. The plan fails, and the disguises cause Hermione to become suspicious of Viktor Krum, a Durmstrang student, and go to the Yule Ball with Ron instead. As a result, Ron never experiences the jealousy fundamental to his relationship with Hermione, and the two never marry. Ron instead falls in love with Padma Patil at the Ball, and Hermione becomes a frustrated and mean professor at Hogwarts, teaching Defence Against the Dark Arts.
Meanwhile, Harry has nightmares about Voldemort as he grows suspicious that the wizard will return. A centaur named Bane tells Harry that a "dark cloud" is around Albus. Convinced that Scorpius is a threat to Albus, Harry tries to have the boys kept apart at Hogwarts by attempting to force HeadmistressMinerva McGonagall to keep tabs on Albus using the Marauder's Map.
Albus and Scorpius' friendship is destroyed, but the two eventually reconcile after Albus steals Harry's old Invisibility Cloak from Albus's older brother James Sirius. Harry is persuaded to relent after a conversation with Draco and Ginny. Meanwhile, Albus and Scorpius make another attempt to use the Time-Turner to change Cedric's fate, this time by humiliating him during the Triwizard Tournament's second task. When Scorpius returns to the present day, Albus is not with him. Dolores Umbridge walks up to him and reveals that Harry is dead and Lord Voldemort rules the wizarding world.
Act Three
Scorpius discovers that as a result of his actions, Cedric joined the Death Eaters and killed Neville Longbottom, preventing him from killing Nagini and allowing Voldemort to win the Battle of Hogwarts. With Harry now dead, Albus never existed, while Voldemort was able to completely consolidate power and transform the Ministry of Magic into a dictatorial regime. In the new timeline, Scorpius became a popular Head Boy and Quidditch star, helping the staff and students torment Muggle-borns. Umbridge became the new Headmistress of Hogwarts and patrols the school with Dementors and a revived Inquisitorial Squad led by Scorpius.
A powerful dark figure called "The Augurey" leads the Ministry of Magic. With the alternate Ron, Hermione, and Severus Snape, final members of a dwindling anti-Voldemort resistance movement, Scorpius is able to use the Time-Turner to prevent the interference of Albus and his past self and restore the events of the original timeline. Alternate Ron, Hermione, and Snape sacrifice themselves to the Dementors in order for him to do so. Scorpius reunites with Albus, and the two boys are eventually found by their parents, as well as Ron and Hermione. Following these events, Harry scolds Albus for his actions, but the two nevertheless begin to reconcile.
Realising the danger the Time-Turner poses, Scorpius and Albus attempt to destroy it themselves, when they are joined by Delphi. Scorpius notices Delphi's tattoo of an Augurey and realizes she was in charge of the Ministry of Magic in the alternate timeline. Delphi takes them captive, killing a fellow student in the process, and reveals her intention of restoring the alternate timeline.
After Ron states he saw Albus and Scorpius with Delphi while he was in Hogsmeade with Neville, Harry and Draco confront Amos, only to discover Delphi had bewitched him into thinking she was his niece. Delphi takes the boys to the final challenge of the Triwizard Tournament but Albus and Scorpius prevent her from acting, and Delphi uses the Time-Turner again to travel farther back in time. She inadvertently takes the boys with her and then destroys the Time-Turner to leave them stranded in time.
Searching Delphi's room, Harry, Draco, Ginny, Hermione and Ron discover hidden writing on the walls describing a prophecy that will allow Voldemort to return. Draco questions why she would be so obsessed with Voldemort's return, as Ginny finds writing on the ceiling that claims Delphi is the daughter of Voldemort.
Act Four
Albus and Scorpius discover they have been taken back to the night before Harry's parents were killed and assume Delphi is planning to kill Harry before Voldemort attempts to do so. Albus and Scorpius write an invisible message on Harry's baby blanket, knowing in the present, the blanket would become stained with a love potion and expose the message. The message reads: "Dad.Help.Godric's Hollow.31/10/1981."
Meanwhile, Draco reveals the Time-Turner was actually a prototype for a perfected model owned by him, but they remain unable to rescue the boys due to their uncertainty over which time period they have entered. After Harry receives the message from the boys, he and his allies use Draco's Time-Turner to travel back in time to save them and stop Delphi. While waiting for Delphi, they deduce she intends to convince Voldemort to abandon his doomed attempt to kill Harry, ensuring her father's survival and allowing her to be with him.
Harry disguises himself as Voldemort using Transfiguration to distract Delphi; after a struggle, the group manages to subdue her. Rather than killing Delphi, it is decided that she will be given a life sentence in Azkaban Prison. Lord Voldemort then appears and is oblivious to the presence of Harry and the group. The group allows the murder of Harry's parents to play out again, unwilling to risk the consequences of altering the past.
After returning to the present day, Delphi is sent to Azkaban. Albus and Scorpius now decide to be more active at Hogwarts, with Scorpius expressing interest in trying out for the Slytherin Quidditch Team and asking Rose out on a date. Harry and Albus visit Cedric's grave, with Harry apologizing for his role in Cedric's death.
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, a two-part play, was written by British playwright Jack Thorne based on an original story by Rowling, John Tiffany, and Thorne. Some websites were listing all three as authors of the script[24] but by 26 July 2016, the official website for the play[25] and many others[26] were listing Thorne as the sole script writer.
The play is directed by Tiffany[27][28] with choreography by Steven Hoggett,[29] set design by Christine Jones,[30] costume design by Katrina Lindsay,[31] lighting design by Neil Austin,[32] music by Imogen Heap,[33] and sound design by Gareth Fry.[34] In addition, special effects were created by Jeremy Chernick,[35] with illusions by Jamie Harrison, and musical supervision by Martin Lowe.[36]
The producers and Rowling have maintained a campaign called #KeepTheSecrets to ask people who have seen the play not to reveal its major twists. The slogan is printed on the tickets for the play and badges with the slogan are handed out for free during intervals. People buying their tickets online are emailed a video after the play from J.K. Rowling asking them to support the campaign.[37][38][39][40]
West End
Previews at the West EndPalace Theatre began on 7 June 2016,[2] with the official opening night for both parts on 30 July,[41] and originally booking until 18 September 2016.[42] Tickets went on sale to pre-registered priority bookers on 28 October 2015, with a public sale scheduled to commence on 30 October.[43] In just under 8 hours of priority booking 175,000 tickets were sold for the world premiere production,[44] with the play's booking period extended to January 2017.[45] On commencement of the public sale booking was extended until 30 April 2017,[46] with a further extension issued the same day to 27 May 2017.[47]
Tickets for the opening performance were priced from £30 up to £130 for a ticket for both parts,[48] although ticket resale agencies were selling seats for up to £3,000.[44] Ticket resale has been banned by the producers, with tickets no longer valid if sold on.[49] In mid-July 2016, the theatre began holding a ticket lottery at 1 pm each Friday, releasing 40 for sale on their website for "some of the best seats" in the theatre for the lowest price, advertised at £20 per part. For example, the "Friday Forty" tickets sold on 29 July 2016 were for performances on 3, 5, 6, and 7 August.[50]
On 20 December 2015, initial casting was announced with Jamie Parker playing Harry Potter, Noma Dumezweni playing Hermione Granger and Paul Thornley playing Ron Weasley.[51][52][53] The casting of the dark-skinned Noma Dumezweni as Hermione sparked fervent discussion, to which Rowling responded that Hermione's skin was never specified as white.[54][55] Further notable casting includes Poppy Miller as Ginny Potter, Alex Price as Draco Malfoy, Sam Clemmett as Albus Severus Potter and Anthony Boyle as Scorpius Malfoy.[56] The production features an overall cast of 42.[57][58] The renewed cast for 2021 features 43 actresses and actors.[59] On 29 January 2022, previously departed cast member Jonathan Case returned to the show for part two only to reprise the role of Scorpius Malfoy.[60] The show is currently running until 26 February 2023.[61]
Broadway
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child at the Lyric Theatre, New York, in July 2019.
The production began previews on 16 March 2018, officially opening on 22 April at the Lyric Theatre. Clemmett, Boyle, Dumezweni, Miller, Parker, Price and Thornley reprised their roles, from the West End.[62][63] The theatre removed 400 seats from the auditorium and moved the entrance to 43rd Street.[64] Tickets initially went on sale on 18 October 2017, for performances from 16 March through 18 November 2018.[65]The New York Times estimates that it is the most expensive non-musical Broadway play ever, incurring $68 million in opening costs.[66] As of 12 March 2020, the show suspended production due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[67] On 12 July 2021, it was announced that the show would reopen on 12 November 2021 at the Lyric Theatre. This re-opening will be condensed into one show, instead of the previously performed two-part show.[68]
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child at the Princess Theatre, Melbourne, Australia, in July 2022
Melbourne
On 24 October 2017, the Michael Cassel Group announced that it would be producing the Australian premiere of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. The preview shows started on 18 January 2019 at Melbourne's Princess Theatre, and the opening night was on 23 February. The show reportedly has an exclusive two-year residency at the Princess Theatre.[69][70] Presale tickets were released on 2 August 2018, selling more than 200,000 tickets in just four days, before the public sale tickets were released.[71][72]
The 35 original Australian adult cast was revealed on 2 September and includes Gareth Reeves as Harry Potter, Paula Arundell as Hermione Granger, Gyton Grantley as Ron Weasley, Lucy Goleby as Ginny Potter, Eva Rees as Albus Potter, Tom Wren as Draco Malfoy, and William McKenna as Scorpius Malfoy.[73]
On 14 November 2021 it was announced that the final performance of the original two part play will be on 27 March 2022 before it reopens on 4 May 2022 where it will be presented as the newly staged one-show version that premiered in New York on 12 November 2021.[74]
Toronto
On 22 May 2019, it was announced that the production would have its first Canadian premiere in Toronto's Ed Mirvish Theatre.[75] Due to the pandemic, its opening has been delayed until 31 May 2022, when it will be presented as the newly staged one-show version developed for North America.[76]
Tokyo
On 13 February 2020, it was announced that the production would have its first Asian premiere in TBS Akasaka ACT Theater in Tokyo, Japan, by TBS Television and Horipro,[77] with preview performances beginning 16 June 2022,[78] and the main performance beginning 8 July.[79]
Both parts of the stage play's script have been released in print and digital formats as Harry Potter and the Cursed Child Parts I & II.[87][88]
The first edition, the Special Rehearsal Edition, corresponded to the script used in the preview shows and was published on 31 July 2016,[89] the date of Harry's birthday in the series and Rowling's birthday, as well.[90] Since revisions to the script continued after the book was printed, an edited version was released on 25 July 2017, as the "Definitive Collector's Edition".[91] According to CNN, this was the most preordered book of 2016.[92]
Sales
In the United States and Canada, the book sold over 2 million copies in its first two days of release.[93] 847,885 copies were sold during the book's first week of release in the United Kingdom. By June 2017, the book had sold over 4.5 million copies in the United States.[94]
Critical reception
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child has received critical acclaim. Some audiences and critics have complimented the casting and performances, while many debate the quality of the piece and how it compares to entries in the main Harry Potter series.
Anthony Boyle's performance as Scorpius Malfoy garnered particular acclaim. WhatsOnStage.com wrote that "Boyle gives a career-making performance," while The Wall Street Journal described him as "the break-out performance".[98][101]Variety's critic, Matt Trueman, agreed, writing, "it's Boyle who really stands out", and both Trueman and Henry Hitchings, in the Evening Standard, noted that his performance was sure to be a fan favourite.[96][102]
Response within the Harry Potter fandom
The response to the play from the Harry Potterfandom was polarizing.[3]
Fans responded positively to the play and its characters, with Scorpius Malfoy being particularly popular.[103] Some fans commented that the dialogue between the familiar characters was "spot on",[104] celebrating it as a faithful continuation of the books.[105][106] Others have noted that the play sheds light on some of the relationships between the characters, such as Harry and Dumbledore's.[107] The response had been particularly positive among fans who watched the play on stage.[108]
Some fans, however, said the story seemed more "like a work of fan fiction" and said that it diverged from previously established rules of the universe, criticising the script's characterisation.[109][110][111] Some also took issue with the style and plot of the script, complaining that the Time-Turner storylines had already been used, as had Cedric Diggory's death, and that the writers were rehashing old storylines and over-played tropes of the fantasy/sci-fi genre.[112][113]
Queerbaiting accusations
The stage play's "ambiguously gay" portrayal of the male friendship between Albus Potter and Scorpius Malfoy has been criticized as an example of "queerbaiting",[114][115] with director John Tiffany stating his belief that it "would not [have] been appropriate" for The Cursed Child to directly address the characters' sexualities.[116][117][118]
In November 2021, Chris Columbus, who previously directed the first two installments of the Harry Potter film series, expressed interest in directing a film adaptation of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, with the intent of having the main cast members reprise their roles.[126][127][128] When The New York Times inquired Daniel Radcliffe if he would be ready to return to his famous role as Harry Potter, he replied that he is not interested in it at the moment.[129]
^Hooton, Christopher (21 December 2015). "JK Rowling shuts down anyone with a problem about Hermione being black on Twitter: 'Frizzy hair is canon'". The Independent. Archived from the original on 9 May 2022. Retrieved 21 December 2015. Responding to (a small pocket of) negative discussion of the casting, she tweeted: "Canon: brown eyes, frizzy hair, and very clever. White skin was never specified. Rowling loves black Hermione." UPDATE: Hold up, maybe the logic isn't quite so airtight.
