Fans flocking to Melbourne to see blockbuster Harry Potter play

Fans are not the only ones who have been eagerly awaiting the arrival of the blockbuster new Harry Potter play in Melbourne, as hotels, restaurants and bars are getting a multi-million-­dollar boost from the blockbuster.

The giant nest for ‘Harry Potter and the Cursed Child’ on top of the Princess Theatre. Picture: Jason Edwards

Hotels, restaurants and bars are getting a multi-million-­dollar boost from the new blockbuster Harry Potter play.

There are high hopes the two-part extravaganza will weave its magic across the city as interstate visitors and Potter tragics from the Asia-Pacific region come to Melbourne to see the show.

Visit Victoria is basing its hopes for the play’s success in Melbourne on figures from Broadway.

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The giant nest for ‘Harry Potter and the Cursed Child’ on top of the Princess Theatre. Picture: Jason Edwards

When it opened in New York last year, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child smashed box office records for the highest single-week gross reported by a non-musical in Broadway history, taking $2.9 million.

“Typically, tourists from interstate and overseas make up 30 per cent of audiences for Melbourne’s theatre shows,” a spokesman said.

“But Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is expected to draw much higher numbers, given 75 per cent of ticket holders for the play in New York are tourists.”

Melbourne hotels are ­already feeling the boom.

“The two-night show in two acts is perfect for hotels and we have seen an increase in demand ­interstate and regionally,” Adrian Williams, of the Accommodation Association of Australia, said.

“In fact, we have also seen an increase in ‘staycations’ — local Melburnians taking a mini break in their own city built around the show.”

Clive Scott, general manager at the Sofitel Melbourne On Collins, agreed.

“There’s a constant flow of people coming into the city,” Mr Scott said.

“If you look across the economy, that’s a taxi to get here, dinner beforehand, supper afterwards and staying overnight.”

Harry Potter cast members Gareth Reeves, Gyton Grantley and Paula Arundell. Picture: Tim Carrafa

The play, written by Jack Thorne and Harry Potter author JK Rowling, is presented in two parts, and runs for five hours in total.

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child picks up where the books and movies left off, and finds Harry coming to terms with fatherhood almost 20 years later.

The Princess Theatre is booked for at least two years and it may stay even longer. If all goes to plan, it will be the longest-running show Melbourne has seen.

Victorian Major Events Minister Martin Pakula said the show would enhance ­Melbourne’s reputation as a world city.

“It demonstrates that ­Melbourne is one of the great theatre cities of the world,” he said.

“We’re not some sort of mid-tier theatre city. We are top tier, whether it’s live theatre or musical entertainment.

“Everybody knows we’re the sporting capital of the world. The fact that we’re one of live theatre capitals of the world is not remarked upon enough. Landing something like Harry Potter is a demonstration of our strength.”

Mr Pakula said it would drive visitation and generate demand for hotel rooms and restaurant space.

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