Harry Potter and the “Not A Prequel” Cursed Child

/ September 4, 2015

Two years ago in December, J.K. Rowling announced via her Facebook page that she would be producing a play featuring Harry Potter in the West End (theatre district) of London. Since then, we have a few more details about it, but not much.

Firstly, we have the title: Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.

Secondly, we know that tickets go on sale Monday, October 19th, with the play opening Summer 2016 at the Palace Theatre (an incredible venue—I saw Spamalot there in 2007). Fans can register on the official website for priority booking before the tickets go on sale this fall. Also on the website are details about everyone behind the project.

Thirdly, we know that Cursed Child is not a prequel. J.K. Rowling tweeted that fact so much back in June that many were calling her J.K. “Not a Prequel” Rowling. Here, though, is the first tweet stating this fact:

When I read the initial announcement, I thought it meant we would primarily see Harry Potter at the Dursleys. Now I’m not entirely sure. For one, Harry pre-Hogwarts is frankly not interesting, so why write a play about it? That’s why so much about Harry’s life there was glossed over in the second chapter of the first book, and even then, it was just to show how magic presented itself when Harry needed it the most. On the other hand, it certainly is much easier to show magic in a book or movie than on a stage. Practical effects can only get you so far. I still don’t know what to think about this play.

However, Rowling did say this on Twitter:

So if Jo says that Cursed Child will be a “real treat for fans”, I guess I have to believe her, because she’s never let me down before! It has been said that this play will feature new content, not a rehashing of what we already know, so at the very least, we are getting new content about Harry Potter. Honestly, if Pottermore’s popularity on “new content days” is any indication, I expect Harry Potter and the Cursed Child to be sold out every night for many months!

It is worth nothing also that, in true J.K. Rowling fashion, 100 of the 1,400 seats at the Palace Theatre will not be sold, but instead made available during every performance for children who cannot otherwise afford to go to the theatre.

And that, ladies and gentlemen, is one of the many reasons Joanne Kathleen Rowling is my hero.

Are you going to see this play next year? Are you excited or are you excited? Comment below!

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