#KeepTheSecrets – Harry Potter and The Cursed Child Pts 1 and 2, The Palace Theatre, London. 30.04.2017

On a Friday morning following a few bad luck events, I felt my luck needed to change so I took a chance on the Friday Forty Lotter. Low and behold my luck was in and I bagged 2 tickets to the following Sunday performances of the high demand, award winning play of Harry Potter and The Cursed Child Parts 1 and 2!

For those who don’t know about ‘The Friday Forty’, its a lottery that is up for grabs every Friday on the Harry Potter and the Cursed Child’s Website. At 1:00pm forty tickets are released for the following week’s performances. The tickets up for grabs are best seats available at an amazing price of £20 per part. An amazing deal, but high demand and it took me a couple of times before I got my win.  I do highly recommend to catch this amazing piece of art.

Harry Potter and The Cursed Child is JK Rowling’s eighth instalment of the Harry Potter Francize. However, this time it was co written by Jack Thorne and Jon Tiffany. Also rather than the big screen, this story is live action. Opening July 2016, the play has sold out for every performance and is now booked up until the end of July 2018! Following its opening however, JK Rowling made the decision to release the script as a book for the public to read. I for one decided to purchase the book not phased by the fact it was a play script. I thought it was highly unlikely I would be seeing the play for some time! Unlike the saying mostly heard from Harry Potter Fans ‘the book is so much better than the film’, for this instalment ‘The Play is so much better than the book!’. With Jack Thorne’s excellent writing and John Tiffany’s stunning direction, what has been created breaks all the boundaries of traditional theatre while staying true to Harry’s legacy.

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child Parts 1 and 2 is set 19 years after the battle of Hogwarts and the defeat of Lord Voldemort. It is Harry’s children who are off to Hogwarts with Harry’s youngest son Albus Severus who is struggling with with his dad’s famous legacy. This is while Harry himself finds life as a father and ministry employee is harder than it looks. ‘As past and present fuse ominously, both father and son learn the uncomfortable truth: sometimes, darkness comes from unexpected places.’

I was so intrigued as to how they were going to bring the Wizarding world to the ‘muggle’ stage. All I can say (to ensure I keep the secrets) it was amazing! It left you guessing ‘how did they do that?’ I loved the chorography throughout the play and I quickly noticed the stylised movement was of  co-founder and artistic director of the physical theatre company Frantic Assembly, Steven Hogget. I can recognise his work anywhere. It worked perfectly and looked so stunning when performed by the cast. His suiting to the wizarding world worked perfectly and I always love watching his work.  The backing music of the movement pieces and scene changes used are by British artist Imogen Heap. As soon as I heard the music I knew it was her and those who listen to her music would recognise a few songs from her previous albums minus the lyrics. Suited for the magical world of Harry Potter, it was great to see Imogen’s music accompanying Steven Hogget’s work again – having seen Pool, No Water in the past.

From the vision of award winning scenographer Christine Jones, accompanied by lighting designer Neil Austin and special effects by Jeremy Chernick. The world of Hogwarts and wizarding world is brought to life in front of our very eyes.The staging is beautiful. Simplistic to the eye, but you could tell how complex it would be to execute backstage. The lighting and visual effects combined with this staging looked fantastic!  Palace Theatre also well suited the play, and when taking your seats you could tell as to why this particular theatre was chosen for its host.  The scenery, affects, and story telling blended well together, complimenting each of them greatly that left you appreciating the work, and time it went in to create this Play. I fully understand the 9 Olivier’s it won greatly deserved!

I was delighted to be seeing the original London cast, with the cast change due to change at the end of May. Today also we had the full cast performing.

Jamie Parker takes on the Leading title of Harry Potter that’s far from Radcliffe’s portrayal.  Matured and reserved but yet still raw with his emotions with is greatly displayed. Paul Thornly is a comedic genius which cements Ron’s legacy, with brilliant comic timing. Noma Dumezweni is simply glorious as Hermione, with her stubborn intelligence and care shining through the performance.

Stars of the show are Sam Clemmett as Albus and Anthony Boyle as Malfoy’s son Scorpius, bring a excellent partnership to life. The unlikely duo handle the plot with ease; Sam showing the emotions of a troubled Son that just wants to make his own route in life, which is more like his fathers than he would have thought.  Anthony in particular, gives a exceptional performance which results in you rooting for a Malfoy for once! He delivers excellent comic moments, that had the audience laughing out loud. His relationship also with his Father Draco played by Alex Price is also brilliantly portrayed.

A mention must go to the 42-strong cast that bring the magic to life throughout. Each taking on a wide range of differing favourite characters, that I will not mention at risk of spoilers.

The other thing about this play, is it is not just for the Harry Potters. Although knowledge of the books and films is required to follow the intricate plot details, for someone who has never turned a page of a Harry Potter book would still be able to appreciate the clever humour, and the way the story is told through effects, and staging. It did come to a surprise how funny the play was as when reading the book it was missed but it was welcomed greatly and just added to the whole performance.

I am so happy to say that I have managed to see this play within its first year of performing, and it delivered. Being a Harry Potter fan having read the books and watched the play, the fan girl in me was loving each moment, and also my partner Graham who has watched and enjoyed the films, came away from a brilliant day of entertainment – he even open admitted he was excited for part 2 when awaiting to go back to the theatre! Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is playing at the Palace Theatre, for ticket and further information for ‘Friday Forty’ go to the main website here. If I do get the chance to see this Play again, I won’t turn it down!