It’s the hottest ticket in London right now – and devoted fans last night became the first members of the public, anywhere in the world, to see Harry Potter And The Cursed Child on stage.
The show is now undergoing its previews (and will officially open on July 30) – and the first reviews are out of this (Muggle) world.
Producers shared this tantalising image of the set to whet appetites before the show began:
https://www.instagram.com/p/BGXQYqnNdnO/
But it looks as though appetites were well and truly whet long before that image was released.
They're queueing round the block for the FIRST preview night of @HPPlayLDN #CursedChild! pic.twitter.com/dPmA0WzF89
— Time Out London (@TimeOutLondon) June 7, 2016
As for the audience’s response, well, they were not disappointed.
Never mind part 2 – I need to see part 1 of part one again #CursedChild Brilliant staging +/story #keepthesecrets
— Sue Eves 🦋🐾 🐾🐾 (@sueeves) June 7, 2016
Spine chilling!Brilliant!@HPPlayLDN #CursedChild !To be continued in part 2.
— Baz Bamigboye @Deadline (@BazBam) June 7, 2016
https://twitter.com/lizo_mzimba/status/740308265733607425
https://twitter.com/_tylerjohn/status/740270750494429186
https://twitter.com/eleanorbate/status/740300611011350528
There were reports of an owl going rogue – a first preview night kink that will be ironed out in time for when the show officially opens.
https://twitter.com/JoshGrisetti/status/740271554030772224
Writing in her five-star review in ‘The Mirror’, Clare Fitzsimons says: “J.K. Rowling has made sure the audience will be back for part two with a cliffhanger ending to the first part. And if the second is anywhere near as good as the first there can be no other verdict. The child may be cursed but this show most definitely isn’t.”
Harry, Albus and Ginny Potter from #HarryPotterPlay #CursedChild. 1st public preview in one week's time! pic.twitter.com/0JyvEqtcyJ
— Harry Potter and the Cursed Child (@CursedChildLDN) May 31, 2016
Meanwhile, ‘The New York Times’ reported: “The three main characters remained true to their younger selves… The audience cannot be more thrilled or more appreciative or more ready to be caught up in the spirit of the undertaking.”
The Granger-Weasleys: Ron, Hermione and Rose. #HarryPotterPlay #CursedChild. First public preview in 6 days! pic.twitter.com/yf8YBBsfFT
— Harry Potter and the Cursed Child (@CursedChildLDN) June 1, 2016
The play’s storyline of the play is by Harry Potter author J.K Rowling, John Tiffany and Jack Thorne. For her part, Rowling has asked everyone who sees the show to avoid spilling spoilers…
We simply want everyone who’s bought a ticket to #CursedChild to enjoy the onstage surprises #KeepTheSecrets https://t.co/0Vbl3zwN6b
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) June 6, 2016
So, reaction to first preview was… wonderful. Feedback is fans really do want to #KeepTheSecrets for each other's sake. #DontBeWormtail
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) June 8, 2016
…and she isn’t afraid to call out those who don’t play fair.
If you don't want #CursedChild spoilers, avoid @Hypable. #Wormtaily.
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) June 8, 2016
Harry Potter And The Cursed Child is at London’s Palace Theatre. The preview of the second part of the show takes place tomorrow (June 9)
You can try to get your tickets here. Or your best bet is to follow Rowling’s advice here:
Try the #FridayForty – forty of the best seats in the theatre at very low prices, released every Friday. Good luck! https://t.co/t6jJu3Nwdf
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) June 8, 2016