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Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is an original Harry Potter franchise play, authored by J. K. Rowling, John Tiffany, and Jack Thorne.

Despite much assumption to the contrary, J. K. Rowling had insisted that the story of the play was not a prequel to the story of Harry Potter,[2] and eventually revealed that the Cursed Child would follow Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. As such, she considers the story of the play to be part of the official Harry Potter canon.[3][4]

Official summary[]

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.

History[]

On 23 October 2015, it was revealed that Harry Potter and the Cursed Child would be the official sequel to Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows as the eighth Harry Potter story of the series.[5]

On 10 February 2016, it was announced that the script would be published in book form on 31 July 2016.[6]

On 4 May 2017, Pottermore announced that the play would be opening on Broadway on 22 April 2018 at the Lyric Theatre.[1]

Overview[]

Creative team[]

  • Original Story: J. K. Rowling
  • Original Story & Playwright: Jack Thorne
  • Original Story & Director: John Tiffany
  • Movement Director: Steven Hoggett
  • Set Designer: Christine Jones
  • Costume Designer: Katrina Lindsay
  • Composer & Arranger: Imogen Heap
  • Lighting Designer: Neil Austin
  • Sound Designer: Gareth Fry
  • Illusions and Magic: Jamie Harrison
  • Music Supervisor & Arranger: Martin Lowe
  • International Associate Director: Des Kennedy
  • International Associate Movement Director: Neil Bettles
  • Video Designers: Finn Ross, Ash J. Woodward
  • Hair, Wigs & Makeup: Carole Hancock
  • International Scenic Supervisor: Brett J. Banakis
  • International Costume Design Associate: Sabine Lemaitre
  • International Associate Lighting Designer: Nick Solymon
  • International Associate Sound Designer: Pete Malkin
  • International Illusions & Magic Associate: Chris Fisher
  • International Technical Director: Gary Beestone
  • International Production Supervisor: Sam Hunter
  • International Executive Producers: Pam Skinner, Diane Benjamin
  • Press & Marketing: HPCC Group Ltd
  • Producers: Sonia Friedman, Colin Callender

The individuals above were credited in all productions,[7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14] whereas the roles below varied from productions:

Role London, West End, UK[7] Broadway, New York,
USA[9]
Melbourne, Australia[10] San Francisco, USA[11] Hamburg, Germany[12] Toronto, Canada[13] Tokyo, Japan[14]
Associate Director Pip Minnithorpe Jimmy Maize Naomi Edwards Connor Wilson Pip Minnithorpe N/A Connor Wilson
Associate
Movement Director
N/A Yasmine Lee Kristen King Yasmine Lee Nuno Silva N/A Nuno Silva
Costume Designer
Associate/Supervisor
N/A Rachel Attridge Jude Loxley Rachel Attridge Carola Brandes N/A
Associate
Lighting Designer
Daniel Haggerty N/A Gavan Swift N/A Hendrik Thomas N/A
Associate
Sound Designer
N/A David Tonion Will Pickens Dennis Dackweiler N/A
Illusions and Magic Associate N/A Skylar Fox Adam Mada Andrew Evans Julian Button N/A
Casting Director Julia Horan Jim Carnahan
Alexandre Bleau
Janine Snape Jim Carnahan
Alexandre Bleau
N/A Sherry Dayton
Michael Walters
N/A
Props Supervisor Lisa Buckley
Mary Halliday
N/A Sophie Jones N/A
Hair, Wigs & Makeup
Associate/Supervisor
N/A Kylie Clarke N/A Sarah Kleindienst N/A
Technical Director N/A Cameron Flint N/A Boris Neureiter N/A
Translation N/A Klaus Fritz
Anja Hansen-Schmidt
N/A Hisashi Odashima
Noriko Odashima

Original cast per production[]

Character London, West End, UK Broadway, New York,
USA
Melbourne, Australia San Francisco, USA Hamburg,
Germany
Toronto, Canada Tokyo,
Japan
2016 2018 2019 2020 2022

Main characters[]

Harry Potter Jamie Parker Gareth Reeves John Skelley Markus Schöttl Trevor White Triple-casting, see section
Albus Severus Potter Sam Clemmett Sean Rees-Wemyss Benjamin Papac Vincent Lang Luke Kimball Double-casting, see section
Ginny Potter Poppy Miller Lucy Goleby Angela Reed Sarah Schütz Trish Lindström
Ron Weasley Paul Thornley Gyton Grantley David Abeles Sebastian Witt Gregory Prest
Rose Granger-Weasley Cherrelle Skeete Susan Heyward Manali Datar Folami Williams Madina Frey Hailey Lewis Natsumi Hashimoto
Hermione Granger Noma Dumezweni Paula Arundell Yanna McIntosh Jillian Anthony Sarah Afful Double-casting, see section
Scorpius Malfoy Anthony Boyle William McKenna Jon Steiger Mathias Reiser Thomas Mitchell Barnet
Draco Malfoy Alex Price Tom Wren Lucas Hall Alen Hodzovic Brad Hodder

Hogwarts staff, students, and denizens[]

Albus Dumbledore Barry McCarthy Edward James Hyland George Henare Charles Janasz Semi-double-casting, see section TBA
Severus Snape Paul Bentall Byron Jennings David Ross Paterson Andrew Long Uwe Serafin Steven Sutcliffe TBA
Rubeus Hagrid Chris Jarman Brian Abraham Soren Jensen Julian Rozzell Jnr Hans-Jürgen Helsig Character omitted
Sorting Hat TBA Masami Koba
Rolanda Hooch Helen Lymbrey Kathryn Meisle Hannah Waterman Theo Allyn Michaela Schmid TBA Double-casting, see section
Dolores Umbridge Katherine Leask Heidi Jürgens Fiona Reid
Minerva McGonagall Sandy McDade Geraldine Hughes Debra Lawrance Shannon Cochran Anita Maria Gramser
Craig Bowker Jnr Jeremy Ang Jones Joshua De Jesus Slone Sudiro Irving Dyson Jr Robin Cadet TBA
Cedric Diggory Tom Milligan Benjamin Wheelwright David Simes William Bednar-Carter Felix Radcke TBA
James Sirius Potter TBA
Polly Chapman Claudia Grant Madeline Weinstein Jessica Vickers Lauren Zakrin Felicitas Bauer TBA
Yann Fredericks James Le Lacheur Jess Barbagallo Connor Sweeney Corey Hedy Christian Bock TBA
Karl Jenkins Jack North Joey LaBrasca Hamish Johnston Tuck Sweeney Nicolai Schwab TBA
Moaning Myrtle Annabel Baldwin Lauren Nicole Cipoletti Gillian Cosgriff Brittany Zeinstra Glenna Weber TBA Karen Miyama
Bane Nuno Silva David St. Louis Iopu Auva'a Logan James Hall Fernando Spengler TBA

Others[]

James Potter Tom Milligan Benjamin Wheelwright David Simes William Bednar-Carter Felix Radcke TBA
Lily Potter Annabel Baldwin Lauren Nicole Cipoletti Gillian Cosgriff Brittany Zeinstra Glenna Weber TBA
Petunia Dursley Helen Lymbrey Kathryn Meisle Hannah Waterman Katherine Leask Heidi Jürgens Character omitted
Trolley witch Sandy McDade Geraldine Hughes Debra Lawrance TBA
Station Master Adam McNamara David Abeles Hayden Spencer Steve O'Connell Cornelius Henne TBA
Viktor Krum Jack North Joey LaBrasca Connor Sweeney Tuck Sweeney Nicolai Schwab TBA
Dudley Dursley Hamish Johnston Character omitted
Vernon Dursley Paul Bentall Byron Jennings David Ross Paterson Andrew Long Uwe Serafin Character omitted
Lord Voldemort TBA
Delphini Diggory Esther Smith Jessie Fisher Madeline Jones Emily Juliette Murphy Kristina Peters Sara Farb Double-casting, see section
Amos Diggory Barry McCarthy Edward James Hyland George Henare Charles Janasz Semi-double-casting, see section TBA Kiichi Fukui
Ludovic Bagman Paul Thornley[15] (voice) TBA

Productions[]

West End[]

The original West End production of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is a play performance based on the script. It premiered on 30 July 2016.[16] The play was shown in two parts.[17]

On 30 March 2017, Pottermore announced that the cast would be changing on 24 May of that year. The original cast performed for the final time on 21 May 2017.[18][19]


The West End Run will conclude on 2 March 2025.[20]


Creative team[7]
Main cast
Original Cast

(L-R): Paul Thornley (Ron Weasley), Noma Dumezweni (Hermione Granger), Jamie Parker (Harry Potter), Sam Clemmett (Albus Potter), Poppy Miller (Ginny Potter), Alex Price (Draco Malfoy) and Anthony Boyle (Scorpius Malfoy)

Supporting cast

Reception[]

An early review for the play from USA Today reviewer Elysa Gardner was glowingly positive, giving the play 3 1/2 out of 4 stars. Gardner stated that the "smashing storytelling and layered but accessible emotional life that always fueled Harry's saga" has remained.[26] Entertainment Weekly also gave the play a strong review, with an overall grade of A-, stating the play is one that "doesn’t play it safe with the Potter canon and will change how fans see certain favourite characters forever."[27] Reviews across the board have generally been very favourable, though most reviews have been kept largely spoiler-free, as attendees are handed badges reading "Keep the Secrets" upon exiting the theatre.[28]

Broadway[]

Creative team[9]
Cast
Original cast

Top (L-R): Alex Price (Draco Malfoy), Paul Thornley (Ron Weasley), Poppy Miller (Ginny Potter)
Middle (L-R): Noma Dumezweni (Hermione Granger), Susan Heyward (Rose Granger-Weasley), Jamie Parker (Harry Potter).
Lower (L-R): Anthony Boyle (Scorpius Malfoy), Sam Clemmett (Albus Potter)

Cast[]

The fourth year announcement occurred on September 17, 2022.[29]

Melbourne[]

CC original Melbourne Potter family promo

(L-R) Sean Rees-Wemyss (Albus Potter), Lucy Goleby (Ginny Potter), Gareth Reeves (Harry Potter)

CC original Melbourne Granger-Weasley family promo

(L-R): Gyton Grantley (Ron Weasley), Manali Datar (Rose Granger-Weasley), Paula Arundell (Hermione Granger)


San Francisco[]

Creative team[11]
Cast

Hamburg[]

Creative team[12]
  • Stage adaptation of the original translation: Johannes Deny, Ruth Deny
Cast

other[]

The play's 2-part production is scheduled to end on 8 January and convert to a one-part production in February 2023.[30]

Toronto[]

Creative team[13]
Cast

Tokyo[]

Main cast
Supporting cast


North American tour[]

It was announced that the show would go on tour on various cities[31], starting with Chicago.[32]

School productions[]

The play will be produced by students in numerous North American high schools, starting in 2024.[33]

A total of 31 schools were selected to produce the show.[34][35]

Behind the scenes[]

  • Following the announcement of the publication of the play in script form, headlines from many sources proclaimed the title as the "eighth Harry Potter novel" by Rowling, despite the fact that official sources have been clear that the new book is simply a complete copy of the play's script, which was not authored by her. Various sources have also described the play incorrectly as a "prequel," despite Rowling's statements to the contrary[36] and the fact that the play is clearly described as taking place 19 years after the events of the final novel.[37]
  • In January 2017, Rowling set the record straight about rumours that the play would be made into a film, or a series of films. She stated that the play was only ever meant to be on stage, and that she and the writers never intended for it to be anything else, and that it would stay that way. She also stated that it will not only never be a film, but joked that it will never be a novel, puppet show, cartoon and comic book series either.[38]
  • Originally, the following characters are played by the same actors in the same production:
  • However, some productions may adjust role distributions:
    • The original Melbourne production instead grouped:
    • The original San Francisco and Hamburg productions instead grouped:
      • Petunia Dursley/Dolores Umbridge/Trolley Witch
      • Rolanda Hooch and Minerva McGonagall are portrayed by two different actresses and not overlapping with this group.

External links[]

Notes and references[]

  1. 1.0 1.1 News: "Cursed Child Broadway official opening confirmed for April 2018" at Pottermore
  2. J.K. Rowling's Twitter
  3. The story of #CursedChild should be considered canon, though. @jackthorne, John Tiffany (the director) and I developed it together. by J.K. Rowling on Twitter
  4. Time - "J.K. Rowling Confirms Harry Potter Play Will Be Considered 'Canon'"
  5. News: "New details on Cursed Child, the ‘eighth Harry Potter story’" at Pottermore
  6. Harry Potter play script to be published by Little, Brown, February 10, 2016 by Charlotte Eyre at The Bookseller
  7. 7.0 7.1 7.2 Harry Potter London Cast & Creative - Harry Potter And The Cursed Child official website
  8. Harry Potter And The Cursed Child official website
  9. 9.0 9.1 9.2 Harry Potter Broadway Cast & Creative Team - Harry Potter And The Cursed Child official website
  10. 10.0 10.1 Harry Potter Melbourne Cast & Creative Team - Harry Potter And The Cursed Child official website
  11. 11.0 11.1 11.2 Harry Potter San Francisco Cast & Creative Team - Harry Potter And The Cursed Child official website
  12. 12.0 12.1 12.2 Cast & Kreativteam | Harry Potter und das verwunschene Kind | Hamburg - Harry Potter And The Cursed Child official website
  13. 13.0 13.1 13.2 Harry Potter Toronto Cast & Creative - Harry Potter And The Cursed Child official website
  14. 14.0 14.1 この舞台について | 舞台『ハリー・ポッターと呪いの子』 | 公式サイト - Harry Potter And The Cursed Child official website
  15. "UPDATED: 'Cursed Child' Broadway Year 3 Cast Announced... Minus Ron Weasley?" at The-Leaky-Cauldron.org
  16. Harry Potter stage play is sequel about Harry’s son, ‘eighth story in the series’ at Entertainment Weekly
  17. Wiz, bang! It's a double helping of Harry Potter at Daily Mail Online
  18. 18.0 18.1 News: "New cast announced for Harry Potter and the Cursed Child London" at Pottermore
  19. 19.0 19.1 19.2 19.3 19.4 19.5 19.6 19.7 Radio Times - First look at the new cast for Harry Potter and the Cursed Child
  20. Harry Potter and the Cursed Child Extends London West End Run to 2025
  21. 21.0 21.1 21.2 Still magic in middle age... It's Harry Potter and a new-look Hermione: Cast set to star in highly-anticipated stage play is revealed at Daily Mail Online
  22. 22.0 22.1 News: "Cursed Child reveals first look at Harry, Ginny and Albus Potter in character" at Pottermore
  23. News: "New Cursed Child character portraits of Ron, Hermione and Rose Granger-Weasley" at Pottermore
  24. 24.0 24.1 News: "Final Cursed Child portraits show Draco and Scorpius Malfoy in character" at Pottermore
  25. 25.00 25.01 25.02 25.03 25.04 25.05 25.06 25.07 25.08 25.09 25.10 25.11 25.12 25.13 25.14 25.15 Cast list from the programme from the original West End Palace Theatre production of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.
  26. Gardner, Elysa (July 25, 2016). "Review: 'Cursed Child' has that Harry Potter magic", USA Today. Retrieved on July 26, 2016. 
  27. Hibberd, James (July 25, 2016). "Harry Potter and the Cursed Child: First review - Effects-stuffed stage sequel explores the past and future of The Boy Who Lived", Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved on July 26, 2016. 
  28. Denham, Jess (July 26, 2016). "Harry Potter and the Cursed Child reviews roundup: Theatre critics spellbound by new JK Rowling play", Independent. Retrieved on July 26, 2016. 
  29. https://www.playbill.com/article/16-new-company-members-set-broadway-debuts-in-harry-potter-and-the-cursed-child
  30. https://www.mugglenet.com/2022/09/harry-potter-and-the-cursed-child-hamburg-announces-transition-to-a-one-part-production/
  31. https://www.wizardingworld.com/news/cursed-child-to-go-on-north-america-tour
  32. Harry Potter and the Cursed Child Will Launch North American Tour in 2024
  33. Harry Potter and the Cursed Child to Become Available For School Productions
  34. 29 High Schools Selected to Perform “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child”
  35. Welcome Back Potter: Hoboken Leads 29 Schools To Perform Broadway Play
  36. "JK Rowling rules on five-year-old Potter bet made in Florida" at Deadline
  37. Harry Potter and the Cursed Child script on Amazon
  38. JK Rowling's website - Cursed Child film rumours
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