Harry Potter and the Cursed Child

When the original series of Harry Potter novels and movies came to a conclusion many fans thought that J.K. Rowling may be putting the popular character to rest which seemed to be confirmed with the upcoming movie "Fantastic Beasts & Where to Find Them" which takes place in the same world of wizards and witches the author created but doesn't include characters from the previous saga.  Well it appears now that the adventures of Harry Potter aren't over just yet.  A sequel is indeed in the works, but its story won't be told as a movie or a novel but rather through a theatrical play being performed at the Palace Theatre in London, England beginning on July 30, 2016.

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Parts I & II is based upon an original new story concept by J.K. Rowling, its script was written by Jack Thorne and the play will be directed by Olivier and Tony award winner John Tiffany.  This tale will be considered as the official eighth story in the canon of the Harry Potter series and will be the first adventure to be presented on stage.  Understanding that Harry Potter is a global phenomenon and many fans won't be able to travel to London's West End (the United Kingdom's theatrical equivalent of Broadway) a digital and print book of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Parts I & II will be published on Harry Potter's birthday, July 31, 2016.

The book being released won't be a novelization as the prior publications in the series have been but rather will consist of the script for the new stage play used for its preview performances. Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Parts I & II will have several weeks of preview performances where its creative team will rehearse and edit scenes before the production's official opening night.  So the script in the upcoming book and the one played out on stage may be slightly different.  Understanding that a Definitive Collector's Edition with the final script that will be used on opening night and beyond will also be published at a later date.  For those fans who can't wait to get their hands on a new book that will transport them back to the wizarding world of Harry Potter the Special Rehearsal Edition of the play's script being released on July 31st should still be a treat.

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is one play presented in two parts, which are intended to be seen in order on the same day (matinee and evening performances) or on two consecutive evenings.  Actors Jamie Parker, Noma Dumezweni, and Paul Thornley will lead the cast as Harry, Hermione, and Ron in a company of more than 30 people performing the play. Set designs will be by Christine Jones, costumers by Katrina Lindsay, music by Imogen Heap, lighting by Neil Austin, sound by Gareth Fry, special effects by Jeremy Chernick, illusions by Jamie Harrison and musical supervision by Martin Lowe.  Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is produced by Sonia Friedman Productions, Colin Callender's Playground Entertainment and Harry Potter Theatrical Productions.

So what future exploits are in store for Harry Potter? Readers and moviegoers last saw Harry waving off his children at Platform Nine and Three-Quarters, 19 years after the Battle of Hogwarts, at the conclusion of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Harry Potter and the Cursed Child picks up the story at that moment.

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.

For more information about the new Harry Potter stage play and book or the upcoming motion picture "Fantastic Beasts & Where to Find Them" visit the official website for J.K. Rowling's wizarding world Pottermore.com