J.K. Rowling reveals that a new play set in the Harry Potter universe, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, will debut at London’s Palace Theatre next summer. Get details about the storyline and when you can order tickets.
Today is a very special day for J.K. Rowling and Harry Potter fans! On this day, 18 years ago, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone was published in the United Kingdom! (Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone was published in the U.S. a little over a year later in September, 1998).
Well, Ms. Rowling commemorated this milestone by making a special announcement that the Harry Potter play, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, will be opening in London in 2016:
I’m also very excited to confirm today that a new play called Harry Potter and the #CursedChild will be opening in London next year.
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) June 26, 2015
It will tell a new story, which is the result of a collaboration between writer Jack Thorne, director John Tiffany and myself. #CursedChild — J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) June 26, 2015
I don’t want to say too much more, because I don’t want to spoil what I know will be a real treat for fans. #CursedChild
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) June 26, 2015
However, I can say that it is not a prequel! #CursedChild — J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) June 26, 2015
Ms. Rowling went on to say that she’s had several offers over the years to extend Harry’s story but found that working with writer Jack Thorne, director John Tiffany, and producer Sonia Friedman to be a “dream team”. Rowling is also confident that a stage play (rather than a book or film) is the best medium to convey Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.
What exactly do we know about Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, so far?
First, the play will have it’s world premiere and first run at London’s Palace Theatre in the summer of 2016. The theater’s official website also gives us a few plot details:
[This is a] production that will explore the backstory leading up to Harry’s parents untimely death at the hands of Lord Voldemort.
Harry’s parents, James and Lily Potter met at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and were seemingly the perfect couple. Unfortunately for the Potter’s, fate had a different plan for them and on the 31st October 1981, they were murdered by the darkest wizard of them all; Lord Voldemort.
So Cursed Child will delve into James and Lily’s lives prior to the original Harry Potter series. We’ll also likely learn more about other familiar characters (maybe even the relationship between Lily and her sister Petunia and/or Lily and Snape***) .
[UPDATE] Ms. Rowling remains adamant that Cursed Child is NOT a prequel. She has spent quite a bit of time on twitter (hilariously) debunking that misconception:
You know what? I’m starting to wonder. Maybe it is. https://t.co/Vh7yaCKP2c
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) June 27, 2015
According to the play’s official site HarryPotterThePlayLondon.com, tickets will go on sale this upcoming Fall, and specific details will be shared in late July.
The creative team for Cursed Child also includes Steven Hoggett who will provide movement, set designs by Christine Jones, costumes by Katrina Lindsay, special effects by Jeremy Chernick, lighting by Neil Austin, sound by Gareth Fry and music by Imogen Heap.
However, casting decisions have not been announced.
Get ready to crack open that piggy bank; it looks like a trip to London next summer is in the cards for many of us!
What do you think about the news? Will you be trying to score tickets for Harry Potter and the Cursed Child? Share your thoughts in comments!
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