I was so excited to see Harry Potter and the Cursed Child in London for the first time. I’d booked a ticket for Friday, 24 October, as a treat just a week after my birthday.
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child first premiered in London’s West End at the Palace Theatre on July 30, 2016. It is a two-part play, with Part One and Part Two typically performed on the same day or evening. The production quickly became a major hit, with fans flying across all parts of the world to see it. It really was an experience with friends and family coming together – wearing their Harry Potter merch, from jumpers to waving about their wands.
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I’ve been wanting to see the play ever since I read the book in 2020. I enjoyed it so much that the next obvious step was to see it being performed in front of my eyes, and boy, was it an experience. Here’s my review of the play and everything you need to know if you’re going to see it for the first time.
How much are the Harry Potter and the Cursed Child tickets and how long is the running time?
I booked online through the official Harry Potter play website a week before attending, and, thankfully, there were lots of spaces still available. The ticket prices obviously depend on where you want to be seated, whether it’s the stalls seats costing around £260, or the balcony seats, costing £30.
The show runs in two parts, with the first part starting at 2 p.m. on the day of the performance. We had to queue before entry, where the security staff checked our belongings and then directed us to our seats. In London, the first part lasts approximately two and a half hours, with a 20-minute intermission in between. This break is the perfect opportunity to grab a drink or snacks from the bar or use the restroom.
Then there’s a roughly 2-hour break where audience members can leave and go outside. We then had to return at 7pm where the second part of the play would start.
The second half ran for 2 hours and 35 minutes and also included a 20-minute intermission. Altogether, the show’s total runtime is 5 hours and 15 minutes of theatre time.
This schedule runs throughout Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays.
What is Harry Potter and the Cursed Child about?
For those unfamiliar with the story, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is set 19 years after the events of the final book in the original series.
It centres on the original beloved characters (Harry, Ron, Hermione) and introduces the next generation of witches and wizards.
Specifically, Harry Potter and Ginny’s younger son, Albus Severus Potter, begins his first year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
At King’s Cross St Pancras, he meets Rose Granger-Weasley. On the Hogwarts Express, they discuss how important it is to choose your friends wisely – a nod to the deep friendships their parents had.
At Hogwarts, Albus meets Scorpius Malfoy (son of Draco Malfoy), and unexpectedly, they become allies and are sorted into the same house.
Their journey takes a dramatic turn when they meddle with a Time-Turner.
My Harry Potter and The Cursed Child Review
The play was such a fantastic experience. The lighting, props, and acting were all exceptional.
The actor playing Harry captured the nervous, over-concerned parent role perfectly; the mannerisms felt just right for the grown-up Harry confronting his past and his son.
Meanwhile, the casting of Ron and Hermione was great. I particularly appreciated the diverse cast a for example, Hermione being portrayed by a Black actress – which shows how the casting is branching out while still honouring the core traits of the characters.
The special effects blew me away: characters disappearing in Ministry of Magic style, flying Dementors, transformations after taking the Polyjuice Potion – basically the magic of the wizarding world brought vividly to stage. I can only imagine the effort and cost behind that.
And the friendship between Albus and Scorpius really felt wholesome – their bickering, Scorpius’s comical one-liners, his doubts, and the way their bond grew.
There was also a “Moaning Myrtle” segment, complete with a sink coming up from the stage, that was hilariously reminiscent of the screen version of the character.
I absolutely loved the flash-back segments too, which took us back to Harry’s roots: his relationship with his Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon in his formative years.
However, the play is very long (about 5+ hours if you stay for both parts) so it did tend to feel like it dragged on. It’s best to know the run-time ahead of time.
I was hugely emotional towards the end (though I don’t want to spoil anything) – final few scenes revisit Harry’s past in a profound way. And the Dark Lord makes a scene.
The production had a spectacular team behind it – the writing by Jack Thorne (from a story co-devised with J.K. Rowling and John Tiffany) and the design, magic illusions, movement and music all came together to deliver an enchanting performance that was funny, dramatic, uplifting and magical.
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is a fun experience for the whole family, or even just for you if you’re going solo.
Things to Remember before seeing Harry Potter and the Cursed Child
If you’re planning to go, here are things you need to know.
The location of the production is at London the Palace Theatre on Shaftesbury Avenue, London.
You should book online via the official site.
It’s better to arrive with some time to spare as theatre has lots of decor, merch, bars you’ll want to check out.
Remember it’s a long outing, plan for 5+ hours including intermission, so it’s therefore best to pick a day without other big commitments afterward.
The show is recommended for ages 8+ and children under 5 aren’t admitted.
Book your tickets at https://www.harrypottertheplay.com/