Harry Potter and the Cursed Child to close four-year Australian run

After a record-breaking run of four years and 1000+ shows, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is leaving Australian shores within weeks.

Paula Arundell who plays the part of Hermione in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child production poses on the stage of The Princess Theatre in Melbourne. Picture: Wayne Taylor.

Actor Paula Arundell’s son has started and finished high school in Sydney in the time she’s held tenure as Hermione Granger in the Australian production of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.

When the final curtain falls on July 9, it will hold the title of the longest-running play in Australian history, after opening in February 2019 at a bespoke Princess Theatre in Melbourne.

“Not many actors get to do this,” she told Confidential.

“I only thought I’d stay for two years.”

When the final curtain falls on July 9, it will hold the title of the longest-running play in Australian history. Picture: Michelle Grace Hunder.

As an original cast member, Arundell has starred in more than 1025 shows.

Half of these were the original two-part stage event, with a mammoth 5+ hour run time. Half were the reimagined 3+ hour performance, which has been running since 2022.

As an original cast member, Paula Arundell has starred in more than 1025 shows as Hermione Granger. Picture: Wayne Taylor.

Arundell was born in Blacktown and has called Bondi home since her teenage years, but “people assume I’m English,” because her character’s accent has outstripped her own.

When asked if it’ll be hard to move on, she struggles to hold back tears.

“I don’t know what it’s going to be like to say goodbye to this,” Arundell said.

“I get so emotional thinking about how much we’ve been through together.”

That includes the year of Covid-induced lockdowns that crippled the show, and performing arts worldwide.

“I came over and my son was in Year 8 and he’s now in Year 12. That’s been really tricky,” Arundell said.

The Australian production was the first one globally to re-open — in February 2021 — after COVID-induced lockdowns crippled the show, and the wider performing arts, worldwide. Picture: Michelle Grace Hunder.

The dementors on stage. Picture: Jason Edwards.

The show, which takes place 19 years after the conclusion of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, brings the magic to life with pyrotechnics, trap doors, moving sets and acrobatics.

Arundell has been taking one memento down from her “art gallery” of a dressing room each day.

“I don’t think I will be able to see it bare. Having said that, I’m incredibly excited to go back to Sydney, where I belong.”

She’s also indulging in the films, which she hadn’t allowed herself to view until now.

“I first read the books when I got the role, but I almost wanted the world to be mine,” Arundell said.

“It’s easy to think the films are the definitive version of the story, and you have to remind yourself that it is one director’s vision.”

As the “Ravenclaw nerd” prepares to hang up her cloak, she’s reminding Aussies to get out and see live entertainment.

“In the age of social media and filter bubbles, live performances are one of the few spaces where we can come together to share an experience.”