Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is an original Harry Potter franchise play, authored by J. K. Rowling, John Tiffany, and Jack Thorne.
Despite much assumption to the contrary, J. K. Rowling had insisted that the story of the play was not a prequel to the story of Harry Potter,[2] and eventually revealed that the Cursed Child would follow Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. As such, she considers the story of the play to be part of the official Harry Potter canon.[3][4]
Official summary[]
It was always difficult being Harry Potter and it isn’t much easier now that he is an overworked employee of the Ministry of Magic, a husband and father of three school-age children.
While Harry grapples with a past that refuses to stay where it belongs, his youngest son Albus must struggle with the weight of a family legacy he never wanted. As past and present fuse ominously, both father and son learn the uncomfortable truth: sometimes, darkness comes from unexpected places.
History[]
On 23 October 2015, it was revealed that Harry Potter and the Cursed Child would be the official sequel to Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows as the eighth Harry Potter story of the series.[5]
On 10 February 2016, it was announced that the script would be published in book form on 31 July 2016.[6]
On 4 May 2017, Pottermore announced that the play would be opening on Broadway on 22 April 2018 at the Lyric Theatre.[1]
Overview[]
Creative team[]
- Original Story: J. K. Rowling
- Original Story & Playwright: Jack Thorne
- Original Story & Director: John Tiffany
- Movement Director: Steven Hoggett
- Set Designer: Christine Jones
- Costume Designer: Katrina Lindsay
- Composer & Arranger: Imogen Heap
- Lighting Designer: Neil Austin
- Sound Designer: Gareth Fry
- Illusions and Magic: Jamie Harrison
- Music Supervisor & Arranger: Martin Lowe
- International Associate Director: Des Kennedy
- International Associate Movement Director: Neil Bettles
- Video Designers: Finn Ross, Ash J. Woodward
- Hair, Wigs & Makeup: Carole Hancock
- International Scenic Supervisor: Brett J. Banakis
- International Costume Design Associate: Sabine Lemaitre
- International Associate Lighting Designer: Nick Solyom
- International Associate Sound Designer: Pete Malkin
- International Illusions & Magic Associate: Chris Fisher
- International Technical Director: Gary Beestone
- International Production Supervisor: Sam Hunter
- International Executive Producers: Pam Skinner, Diane Benjamin
- Press & Marketing: HPCC Group Ltd
- Producers: Sonia Friedman, Colin Callender
The individuals above were credited in all productions,[7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14] whereas the roles below varied from productions:
| Role | London, West End, UK[7] | Broadway, New York, USA[9] |
Melbourne, Australia[10] | San Francisco, USA[11] | Hamburg, Germany[12] | Toronto, Canada[13] | Tokyo, Japan[14] |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Associate Director | Pip Minnithorpe | Jimmy Maize | Naomi Edwards | Connor Wilson | Pip Minnithorpe | N/A | Connor Wilson |
| Associate Movement Director |
N/A | Yasmine Lee | Kristen King | Yasmine Lee | Nuno Silva | N/A | Nuno Silva |
| Costume Designer Associate/Supervisor |
N/A | Rachel Attridge | Jude Loxley | Rachel Attridge | Carola Brandes | N/A | |
| Associate Lighting Designer |
Daniel Haggerty | N/A | Gavan Swift | N/A | Hendrik Thomas | N/A | |
| Associate Sound Designer |
N/A | David Tonion | Will Pickens | Dennis Dackweiler | N/A | ||
| Illusions and Magic Associate | N/A | Skylar Fox | Adam Mada | Andrew Evans | Julian Button | N/A | |
| Casting Director | Julia Horan | Jim Carnahan Alexandre Bleau |
Janine Snape | Jim Carnahan Alexandre Bleau |
N/A | Sherry Dayton Michael Walters |
N/A |
| Props Supervisor | Lisa Buckley Mary Halliday |
N/A | Sophie Jones | N/A | |||
| Hair, Wigs & Makeup Associate/Supervisor |
N/A | Kylie Clarke | N/A | Sarah Kleindienst | N/A | ||
| Technical Director | N/A | Cameron Flint | N/A | Boris Neureiter | N/A | ||
| Translation | N/A | Klaus Fritz Anja Hansen-Schmidt |
N/A | Hisashi Odashima Noriko Odashima | |||
Original cast per production[]
Productions[]
West End[]
The original West End production of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is a play performance based on the script. It premiered on 30 July 2016.[16] The play was shown in two parts.[17]
On 30 March 2017, Pottermore announced that the cast would be changing on 24 May of that year. The original cast performed for the final time on 21 May 2017.[18][19]
The West End Run will conclude on 2 March 2025.[20]
- Creative team[7]
- Casting Associate: Lottie Hines
- Special Effects: Jeremy Chernick
- Main cast
(L-R): Paul Thornley (Ron Weasley), Noma Dumezweni (Hermione Granger), Jamie Parker (Harry Potter), Sam Clemmett (Albus Potter), Poppy Miller (Ginny Potter), Alex Price (Draco Malfoy) and Anthony Boyle (Scorpius Malfoy)
- Jamie Parker[21] and Jamie Glover[19] as Harry Potter
- Paul Thornley[21] and Thomas Aldridge[19] as Ronald Weasley
- Noma Dumezweni[21] and Rakie Ayola[19] as Hermione Granger
- Sam Clemmett[22] and Theo Ancient[18] as Albus Potter
- Poppy Miller[22] and Emma Lowndes[19] as Ginevra Potter
- Cherrelle Skeete[23] and Helen Aluko[19] as Rose Granger-Weasley
- Alex Price[24] and James Howard[19] as Draco Malfoy
- Anthony Boyle[24] and Samuel Blenkin[19] as Scorpius Malfoy
- Supporting cast
- Jeremy Ang Jones as Craig Bowker Junior[25]
- Annabel Baldwin as Moaning Myrtle and Lily J. Potter[25]
- Paul Bentall as Vernon Dursley, Severus Snape and Lord Voldemort[25]
- Claudia Grant as Polly Chapman[25]
- Chris Jarman as the Sorting Hat and Rubeus Hagrid[25]
- Jenet Le Lacheur as Yann Fredericks[25]
- Helen Lymbrey as Petunia Dursley, Rolanda Hooch and Dolores Umbridge[25]
- Barry McCarthy as Amos Diggory and Albus Dumbledore[25]
- Sandy McDade as the Trolley Witch and Minerva McGonagall[25]
- Adam McNamara as the Train Guard[25]
- Tom Milligan as James Potter Jnr, James Potter Snr and Cedric Diggory[25]
- Jack North as Dudley Dursley, Karl Jenkins and Viktor Krum[25]
- Nuno Silva as Bane and Professor Mazoni[25]
- Esther Smith as Delphi Diggory[25]
- Rudi Goodman, Alfred Jones, Bili Keough, Nathaniel Smith and Dylan Standen as Young Harry Potter[25]
- Zoe Brough, Cristina Fray, and Christiana Hutchings as Lily Jnr[25]
- Ensemble: Nicola Alexis, Rosemarie Annabella Nkhruma, Jack Bennett, James Howard, Lowri James, Martin Johnson, Andrew McDonald and Stuart Ramsay
- Swings: Helen Aluko, Matthew Bancroft, Morag Cross, Chipo Kureya, Tom Mackley and Joshua Wyatt
Reception[]
An early review for the play from USA Today reviewer Elysa Gardner was glowingly positive, giving the play 3 1/2 out of 4 stars. Gardner stated that the "smashing storytelling and layered but accessible emotional life that always fueled Harry's saga" has remained.[26] Entertainment Weekly also gave the play a strong review, with an overall grade of A-, stating the play is one that "doesn’t play it safe with the Potter canon and will change how fans see certain favourite characters forever."[27] Reviews across the board have generally been very favourable, though most reviews have been kept largely spoiler-free, as attendees are handed badges reading "Keep the Secrets" upon exiting the theatre.[28]
Broadway[]
- Creative team[9]
- US Resident Movement Director: Ben Wheelwright
- Cast
Top (L-R): Alex Price (Draco Malfoy), Paul Thornley (Ron Weasley), Poppy Miller (Ginny Potter)
Middle (L-R): Noma Dumezweni (Hermione Granger), Susan Heyward (Rose Granger-Weasley), Jamie Parker (Harry Potter).
Lower (L-R): Anthony Boyle (Scorpius Malfoy), Sam Clemmett (Albus Potter)
- Will Coombs and Landon Maas as Young Harry Potter
- Olivia Bond and Brooklyn Shuck as Lily Jnr
- Ensemble: Shirine Babb, Stephen Bradbury, Richard Gallagher, Katie Kreisler, Andrew Long, Angela Reed, Dave Register, Adeola Role, James Romney, Nathan Salstone, Malika Samuel, Alanna Saunders, Stuart Ward and Alex Weisman
 |
'Engorgio!'
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Cast[]
The fourth year announcement occurred on September 17, 2022.[29]
Melbourne[]
(L-R) Sean Rees-Wemyss (Albus Potter), Lucy Goleby (Ginny Potter), Gareth Reeves (Harry Potter)
(L-R): Gyton Grantley (Ron Weasley), Manali Datar (Rose Granger-Weasley), Paula Arundell (Hermione Granger)
- Alfie Hughes, Ezra Justin, Archie Pitcher and Zakaria Rahhali as Young Harry Potter
- Sasha Turinui, Ruby Hall, and Sienna Conti as Lily Jnr
- Ensemble: Mike Bishop, Mark Dickinson, Lyndall Grant, Amanda LaBonté, Cle Morgan, James O'Connell and Hayden Spencer
- Swings: Damien Avery, Simon Chandler, Clare Chihambakwe, Louis Corbett, Kuda Mapeza, Kirsty Marillier and John Shearman
|
'Engorgio!'
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San Francisco[]
- Creative team[11]
- US Resident Movement Director: Ben Wheelwright
- Cast
- Ensemble: Ebony Blake, Melanie Brezill, Kita Grayson, Abbi Hawk, Kyle Hines, Nathan Hosner, Nicholas Hyland, Joel Leffert, Lily Mojekwu, Erik Evan Olson, Christian Pedersen, and Geoffrey Wade.
- Dave Register joined the production shorty before it went on hiatus.
|
'Engorgio!'
It is requested that this article, or a section of this article, should be expanded. Please help the Harry Potter Wiki by expanding this article to give more complete coverage of its subject. |
Hamburg[]
- Creative team[12]
- Stage adaptation of the original translation: Johannes Deny, Ruth Deny
- Cast
- Fritz Hille as Amos Diggory and Albus Dumbledore, with Hans Neblung as the alternative actor
- Ensemble: Frank Brunet, Alexandra Farkic, Ivy Quainoo, and Ulrich Talle
- Swings: Michael Clauder, Mariyama Ebel, Tino Frers, Nikko Forteza, Olivia Irmengard Grassner, Elvin Karakurt, Benjamin A. Merkl and Dave Wilcox
|
'Engorgio!'
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other[]
The play's 2-part production is scheduled to end on 8 January and convert to a one-part production in February 2023.[30]
Toronto[]
The show ran from 31 May 2022 to 2 July 2023.
- Creative team[13]
- Senior Associate Producer: Thomas Swayne
- Producer: David Mirvish
- Assistant Stage Manager: Bradley Dunn, Kate Sandeson
- Stage Manager: Erin Fitzgerald, Jessica Severin
- Cast
|
'Engorgio!'
It is requested that this article, or a section of this article, should be expanded. Please help the Harry Potter Wiki by expanding this article to give more complete coverage of its subject. |
Tokyo[]
- Main cast
- Tatsuya Fujiwara, Kanji Ishimaru, and Osamu Mukai as Harry Potter
- Masahiro Ehara and Hayata Tateyama as Ronald Weasley
- Aoi Nakabeppu and Seina Sagiri as Hermione Granger
- Haru Fujita and Kohei Fukuyama as Albus Potter
- Erica Mabuchi and Yuri Shirahane as Ginevra Potter
- Shinya Matsuda and Shuntaro Miyao as Draco Malfoy
- Sodai Kadota and Rio Saito as Scorpius Malfoy
- Supporting cast
- Ikue Sakakibara and Hitomi Takahashi as Minerva McGonagall
- Sayuri Houi and Karen Iwata as Delphi Diggory
|
'Engorgio!'
It is requested that this article, or a section of this article, should be expanded. Please help the Harry Potter Wiki by expanding this article to give more complete coverage of its subject. |
North American tour[]
It was announced that the show would go on tour on various cities[31], starting with Chicago.[32]
Chicago[]
The first stop is at Chicago's James M. Nederlander Theatre, with previews started on 10 September and will conclude on 1 February 2024.[33] Cast was announced on 9 June 2024.[34][35]
Los Angeles[]
This production will be at the Hollywood Pantages Theatre. [34]
Washington DC[]
This production will be at the National Theatre in Washington D.C.[34]
School productions[]
The play is produced by students in numerous North American high schools, starting in 2024.[36]
A total of 31 schools were selected to produce the show.[37][38]
Behind the scenes[]
- Following the announcement of the publication of the play in script form, headlines from many sources proclaimed the title as the "eighth Harry Potter novel" by Rowling, despite the fact that official sources have been clear that the new book is simply a complete copy of the play's script, which was not authored by her. Various sources have also described the play incorrectly as a "prequel," despite Rowling's statements to the contrary[39] and the fact that the play is clearly described as taking place 19 years after the events of the final novel.[40]
- In January 2017, Rowling set the record straight about rumours that the play would be made into a film, or a series of films. She stated that the play was only ever meant to be on stage, and that she and the writers never intended for it to be anything else, and that it would stay that way. She also stated that it will not only never be a film, but joked that it will never be a novel, puppet show, cartoon and comic book series either.[41]
- Originally, the following characters are played by the same actors in the same production:
- However, some productions may adjust role distributions:
- The original Melbourne production instead grouped:
- Yann Fredericks/Viktor Krum
- Dudley Dursley/Karl Jenkins
- The original San Francisco and Hamburg productions instead grouped:
- Petunia Dursley/Dolores Umbridge/Trolley Witch
- Rolanda Hooch and Minerva McGonagall are portrayed by two different actresses and not overlapping with this group.
- The original Melbourne production instead grouped:
External links[]
Notes and references[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 News: "Cursed Child Broadway official opening confirmed for April 2018" at Pottermore
- ↑ J.K. Rowling's Twitter
- ↑ The story of #CursedChild should be considered canon, though. @jackthorne, John Tiffany (the director) and I developed it together. by J.K. Rowling on Twitter
- ↑ Time - "J.K. Rowling Confirms Harry Potter Play Will Be Considered 'Canon'"
- ↑ News: "New details on Cursed Child, the ‘eighth Harry Potter story’" at Pottermore
- ↑ Harry Potter play script to be published by Little, Brown, February 10, 2016 by Charlotte Eyre at The Bookseller
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Harry Potter London Cast & Creative - Harry Potter And The Cursed Child official website
- ↑ Harry Potter And The Cursed Child official website
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 Harry Potter Broadway Cast & Creative Team - Harry Potter And The Cursed Child official website
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 Harry Potter Melbourne Cast & Creative Team - Harry Potter And The Cursed Child official website
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 Harry Potter San Francisco Cast & Creative Team - Harry Potter And The Cursed Child official website
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 Cast & Kreativteam | Harry Potter und das verwunschene Kind | Hamburg - Harry Potter And The Cursed Child official website
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 Harry Potter Toronto Cast & Creative - Harry Potter And The Cursed Child official website
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 この舞台について | 舞台『ハリー・ポッターと呪いの子』 | 公式サイト - Harry Potter And The Cursed Child official website
- ↑ "UPDATED: 'Cursed Child' Broadway Year 3 Cast Announced... Minus Ron Weasley?" at The-Leaky-Cauldron.org
- ↑ Harry Potter stage play is sequel about Harry’s son, ‘eighth story in the series’ at Entertainment Weekly
- ↑ Wiz, bang! It's a double helping of Harry Potter at Daily Mail Online
- ↑ 18.0 18.1 News: "New cast announced for Harry Potter and the Cursed Child London" at Pottermore
- ↑ 19.0 19.1 19.2 19.3 19.4 19.5 19.6 19.7 Radio Times - First look at the new cast for Harry Potter and the Cursed Child
- ↑ Harry Potter and the Cursed Child Extends London West End Run to 2025
- ↑ 21.0 21.1 21.2 Still magic in middle age... It's Harry Potter and a new-look Hermione: Cast set to star in highly-anticipated stage play is revealed at Daily Mail Online
- ↑ 22.0 22.1 News: "Cursed Child reveals first look at Harry, Ginny and Albus Potter in character" at Pottermore
- ↑ News: "New Cursed Child character portraits of Ron, Hermione and Rose Granger-Weasley" at Pottermore
- ↑ 24.0 24.1 News: "Final Cursed Child portraits show Draco and Scorpius Malfoy in character" at Pottermore
- ↑ 25.00 25.01 25.02 25.03 25.04 25.05 25.06 25.07 25.08 25.09 25.10 25.11 25.12 25.13 25.14 25.15 Cast list from the programme from the original West End Palace Theatre production of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.
- ↑ Gardner, Elysa (July 25, 2016). "Review: 'Cursed Child' has that Harry Potter magic", USA Today. Retrieved on July 26, 2016.
- ↑ Hibberd, James (July 25, 2016). "Harry Potter and the Cursed Child: First review - Effects-stuffed stage sequel explores the past and future of The Boy Who Lived", Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved on July 26, 2016.
- ↑ Denham, Jess (July 26, 2016). "Harry Potter and the Cursed Child reviews roundup: Theatre critics spellbound by new JK Rowling play", Independent. Retrieved on July 26, 2016.
- ↑ https://www.playbill.com/article/16-new-company-members-set-broadway-debuts-in-harry-potter-and-the-cursed-child
- ↑ https://www.mugglenet.com/2022/09/harry-potter-and-the-cursed-child-hamburg-announces-transition-to-a-one-part-production/
- ↑ https://www.harrypotter.com/news/cursed-child-to-go-on-north-america-tour
- ↑ Harry Potter and the Cursed Child Will Launch North American Tour in 2024
- ↑ https://playbill.com/article/see-whos-starring-in-national-tour-of-harry-potter-and-the-cursed-child
- ↑ 34.0 34.1 34.2 Harry Potter and the Cursed Child announce their North American tour cast
- ↑ National Tour of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child Launches in Chicago September 10
- ↑ Harry Potter and the Cursed Child to Become Available For School Productions
- ↑ 29 High Schools Selected to Perform “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child”
- ↑ Welcome Back Potter: Hoboken Leads 29 Schools To Perform Broadway Play
- ↑ "JK Rowling rules on five-year-old Potter bet made in Florida" at Deadline
- ↑ Harry Potter and the Cursed Child script on Amazon
- ↑ JK Rowling's website - Cursed Child film rumours
| J. K. Rowling's Harry Potter series | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Philosopher's Stone | book | film | games | film soundtrack | game soundtrack |
| Chamber of Secrets | book | film | games | film soundtrack | game soundtrack |
| Prisoner of Azkaban | book | film | games | film soundtrack | game soundtrack |
| Goblet of Fire | book | film | games | film soundtrack | game soundtrack |
| Order of the Phoenix | book | film | game | film soundtrack | game soundtrack |
| Half-Blood Prince | book | film | games | film soundtrack | game soundtrack |
| Deathly Hallows | book | film 1 | games 1 | film soundtrack 1 | game soundtrack 1 |
| film 2 | games 2 | film soundtrack 2 | game soundtrack 2 | ||
| Cursed Child | script | play | |||
| Fantastic Beasts film series | |||||
| Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them | book | screenplay | film | game | film soundtrack |
| The Crimes of Grindelwald | screenplay | film | film soundtrack | ||
| The Secrets of Dumbledore | screenplay | film | film soundtrack | ||