Premier Daniel Andrews promises Harry Potter tickets to be guarded from scalpers

SCALPERS won’t be able to touch Harry Potter and the Cursed Child tickets for the Melbourne shows, not because of magic but Premier Daniel Andrews.

TICKETS to Harry Potter and the Cursed Child in Melbourne could be as tough to get your hands on as the Golden Snitch but they’ll be protected from scalpers, says the Premier.

Daniel Andrews today announced the record-breaking performance would come to Melbourne’s Princess Theatre in early 2019, after a world premiere in London’s West End and Broadway in April next year.

The new Harry Potter play follows on from J.K. Rowling's acclaimed book series. Picture: Jack Taylor

We are thrilled to announce that #CursedChild will be coming to Melbourne, Australia in 2019. https://t.co/aJNrBRaVw3 pic.twitter.com/oRQQzSy5ec

— Cursed Child AUS (@HPPlayAUS) October 23, 2017

J.K Rowling has sold more than 450 million copies of Harry Potter since 1997 and been adapted into eight films, and now a play. Photo: AFP

The theatre show is based on the eighth book in the Harry Potter series. It’s set when Harry is working at the Ministry of Magic and his youngest son Albus struggles with his family legacy.

Mr Andrews promised the show would be guarded from scalpers.

“We are very keen to protect the integrity of the ticketing offer. We are prepared to take the steps necessary to ensure that we don’t see some of that behaviour,” Mr Andrews said.

“This show is one that is properly jealously guarded by the author and by those who put on the show in New York and in London.

“They have got the right values and they want to see people who might not necessarily be able to attend in the theatre often because of their economic circumstances, their personal affairs, they want to be an inclusive show and we embrace that.”

Mr Andrews promises to guard the tickets from scalpers. Picture: AAP

It comes after the Federal Government was urged to “ban the bot” earlier this year to combat scalpers ripping off Aussies buying tickets online at inflated prices, and AFL fans were slugged for tickets and fees.

Even consumer group Choice lodged a complaint with the ACCC this year calling Viagogo and Ticketmaster Resale websites for facilitating fraudulent and dodgy ticket sales.

Huge news! @HPPlayAUS, the record breaking Harry Potter production is bound for Melbourne in 2019. https://t.co/hwRwLfYGTd pic.twitter.com/19v3G18ZhZ

— Creative Victoria (@Creative_Vic) October 24, 2017

Fans in the UK have already been stung with tickets being sold on Viagogo and other sites for inflated prices, on average between $200 to $500 for the London shows.

Tickets bought on the official website for the UK show range from about $25 to $170 per show, or up to about $250 both.

HARRY POTTER AND THE CURSED CHILD IS COMING TO MELBOURNE .....but in 2019!!!

— sammy@珠綾推し (@ryouhas) October 24, 2017

But with performance dates and ticketing details still to be announced for the Melbourne shows, the best option is to sign up to the mailing list at harrypottertheplay.com to find out more.

Tickets to the Melbourne show will go on sale in 2018.