The curtain goes up for the Harry Potter sequel play Harry Potter and the Cursed Child this summer. As previews approach, the highly anticipated West End production has given us a glimpse of the action… well, rehearsal-action. The wands are out as we see some of the actors working out scenes from the hugely anticipated production…
The above video has Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child director John Tiffany and Cursed Child playwright Jack Thorne discussing previews for the play, and JK Rowling’s hopes that fans will keep the story’s secrets.
Amidst their discussion, we get a few glimpses of the actors rehearsing. While reveals appear to be slim in this footage, it is exciting to see actors brandishing wands…
Who knows what’s going on here?
The most exciting snippet of footage shows what appears to be a brief but well choreographed arrangement of trunks and suitcases…
Perhaps we’re seeing a glimpse of a scene that takes place on Platform 9 3/4?
Whether or not any of these moments actually make it into the final stage production remains to be seen. Not only are there still weeks of rehearsals to go, but then there are previews to get through. Public previews begin on June 7. As discussed in the video, this is a point when the play is showing for the public, but the script and direction continues to evolve until any kinks are worked out and they’re able to get the show to its final draft. A special Rehearsal Edition of the script will be published and made available to own after Harry Potter and the Cursed Child makes its official debut. Later, a Definitive Collector’s Edition including the finalized script will release.
Those who aren’t able to get to the Palace Theatre in London to see Cursed Child will likely try to dodge spoilers, at least until the published script arrives. J.K. Rowling discusses her hopes that people will keep the story’s secrets, stating…
One of the things that I have valued most about the Potter fandom is that as a community, they have really looked out for each other. People have each others’ backs. It’s a special thing. It’s for that reason, more than any other, that I would like us — if we can — to keep our secrets. This will be such an incredible theatrical experience, that I’d love us to be able to surprise people and move people in the natural way that a story should surprise and move people.
I love her optimism, and it may extend as far as the cast and crew of this production, but having spent enough years on the internet — including years when the Harry Potter books were still releasing — it’s hard to imagine the lid being kept on any major Cursed Child moments once this play opens for the public. In my experience, actual fans tend to be respectful enough when it comes to spoiler warnings, but the sad and frustrating reality is there are those who love to troll fans by dropping spoilers all over the place. There’s a good chance that anyone who wasn’t quick enough to finish Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince learned that lesson the hard way.
It’s going to be very interesting to see the reactions to Harry Potter and the Cursed Child unfold once previews begin.
Told in two parts that serve as a sequel and officially the eighth story in the Harry Potter series, Cursed Child will feature an adult Harry Potter and his son Albus, who’s struggling with his unwanted family legacy. (Get the official description here.) Harry Potter and the Cursed Child begins previews in late May (presumably private ones, as the public ones don’t start until June). The official production opens in July 2016.
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