Harry Potter and the Cursed Child arrives in Melbourne: How play tops both books and films
The latest Harry Potter instalment is so good, fans reckon it tops J.K. Rowling’s novels and all the movies.
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Harry Potter fans, it’s time to apparate yourselves to Melbourne.
After what seems like the longest wait (or is it just me?), Harry Potter and the Cursed Child has made its way to Melbourne this month, officially opening its theatre run on Saturday.
Shown in two parts it’s a marathon effort, especially if you watch both plays in one day like I did.
Part one of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child clocked in at two hours and 40 minutes, while part two was a slightly shorter two hours and 35 minutes.
Taking in more than five hours of theatre in one day did feel slightly exhausting at some stages, so either stock up on caffeine in the break between or maybe space both plays apart if you live in Melbourne.
Having said that part one does end on a cliffhanger, so if you’re the type of person who hates to wait when there’s a nail biting ending spacing the shows apart could feel like an unbearable wait.
Heading to the Melbourne show there isn’t just the play to get excited for as when you step inside the Princess Theatre it’s a bit like entering Hogwarts.
Extensive renovations have seen the theatre fitted with Potter themed carpet and wall finishes, meaning there were many excited selfies taken before audience members had even taken their seats for part one.
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child fits more seamlessly into the Hogwarts world than Fantastic Beasts (especially given its disappointing sequel), because it focuses on the real reason everyone became so obsessed with J.K. Rowling’s work in the first place — Harry Potter himself.
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is the eighth instalment in the Harry Potter series and based on a story written by Rowling that was adapted for the stage.
It follows the grown-up Harry readers first got a glimpse of in the final moments of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, with the first moments of the show mirroring that last chapter.
Now instead of a teenager who lives in a cupboard under the stairs, Harry is a Ministry of Magic employee and father of three struggling to connect with his middle son, Albus Potter.
Of course any Harry Potter story isn’t complete without Hermione Granger, Ron Weasley and some sinister, mysterious, forces, but it’s impossible to give any more of the plot away without risking the wrath of its author (and probably plenty of Harry Potter fans too).
Inside the show’s program a section is dedicated to asking the audience to “keep the secrets” after they leave the Princess Theatre.
Asking people to “keep the secrets” is part of a campaign Rowling began when the show made its West End debut, asking fans not to share spoilers from the plays online so that everyone can enjoy the onstage surprises — of which there are plenty.
Also amazing are the special effects, which at times defied reality and resembled something more like, well, magic.
So, is Harry Potter and the Cursed Child worth it?
The impossible-seeming stunts and genuinely surprising moments are what make Harry Potter and the Cursed Child better than the movies — there’s no spoilers from the books during the big reveal or a CGI team this time.
The characters feel closer to the books than the movies, with Ron funnier and Harry more stubborn than their film counterparts.
Also, like the books, there is a lot more humour and it helps to break up some of the scarier scenes.
While the play does feel like an eighth instalment it doesn’t follow the standard one year at Hogwarts storyline, which can feel a bit strange for Harry Potter fans used to that style.
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child comes to Australia after a successful run overseas, making its debut in London’s West End in 2016 and moving to New York’s Broadway in 2018.
Besides being a hit with audiences, the play has won critical acclaim, picking up a slew of Olivier and Tony awards — the theatre equivalent of the BAFTAs and Oscars — along the way.
The Melbourne production stars a host of Australian actors, with standout performances from Underbelly star Gyton Grantley as Ron Weasley and William McKenna as Scorpius Malfoy in his theatre debut.
Going to Harry Potter and the Cursed Child will set you back, with tickets for both parts starting at $130 and costing up to $540 for the theatre’s premium lounge package.
The cost goes up too when you add in any flights or hotels you may need if you’re coming from out of Melbourne to see the show.
But the cost doesn’t seem to be stopping fans so far, with tickets already on sale and selling fast, with limited availability until July.
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is an unmissable experience for fans and a very satisfying end to the series for those who wondered what a grown up Harry would be like — and let’s face it, we all spent way too much time wondering what came next after Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows ended.
Originally published as Harry Potter and the Cursed Child arrives in Melbourne: How play tops both books and films
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