If you love Harry Potter and theatre – or you love Harry Potter but have never been to the theatre (or vice versa) – you absolutely have to see Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.
As someone who loves Harry Potter and has seen a few West End plays, I knew this was non-negotiable. But with ticket prices and a busy schedule, I kept putting it off until the time came.
Having now experienced it (and still not being able to stop thinking about it 24 hours later, and probably for the rest of time), here are some things you should know if you’re planning a trip soon.
READ NEXT: Harry Potter and the Cursed Child Review
What is Harry Potter and the Cursed Child about?
The play 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.
How Much Are Harry Potter and the Cursed Child tickets?
I booked online through the official Harry Potter play website a week before. The ticket-prices of course depend on stage section with stalls seats costing around £260, while balcony seats were about £30.
Book your tickets at https://www.harrypottertheplay.com/
How Long Is Harry Potter and the Cursed Child Running Time?
The show runs in two parts and started for us at 2pm. In London the timings 2 hours and half in the first part and a 20 minute break in between. This is a perfect time to grab a drink or snacks from the bar or use the toilet.
Then there’s roughly 2hours break where audience member can leave and go outside. We then had to return at 7pm where the second part of the play would starts.
The production ran for 2 hours 35 minutes and included a 20 minute break. All in all, the shows run time is 5 hours 15 minutes of theatre time in total.
This schedule runs throughout Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays.
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.