“Harry Potter” author J.K. Rowling has finally revealed exciting details on “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child,” the much-awaited play based on the series of novels.
Last Friday, the author shared on Pottermore that the play is actually a sequel–the eighth story in the “Harry Potter” series, taking place 19 years after the story ended.
The official synopsis reads:
“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.”
In the epilogue of the series’ last book, “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows,” readers were introduced to Albus Severus, Harry Potter’s middle child, who he named after two Hogwarts headmasters, Albus Dumbledore and Severus Snape. Both Dumbledore and Snape were important characters in the series, and it is interesting to note that Harry witnessed the death of the two.
Coinciding with the release of its official synopsis, Pottermore also revealed its official poster through Twitter. The poster shows the “cursed child” sitting on a nest, which takes the shape of a golden snitch. “The Eighth Story. 19 Years After,” the tagline reads.
“Harry Potter and the Cursed Child” is written by Jack Thorne, in collaboration with Rowling. Olivier and Tony award-winning John Tiffany will direct the play.
After the books and the movies wrapped up in 2007 and 2011 respectively, “Harry Potter” fans are wondering why Rowling took another direction with its much-awaited sequel.
“I’m confident that when audiences see ‘Harry Potter and the Cursed Child’ they will understand why we chose to tell this story in this way,” the best-selling author wrote on her website.
Talking to the Daily Mail UK, the play’s producers Sonia Friedman and Colin Callender added that they intend to go back to “basic story-telling,” but will also incorporate magic and fantasy, which the series is widely known for.
“Because it’s a play, it’s worth stressing that at this stage of the process it’s not our intention to have a high-tech show. We very much hope to deliver magic – but in our unique way,” Friedman and Callender shared.
In addition, Rowling revealed that due to the “epic nature of the story,” the play will be divided into two parts. Viewers can choose to watch both on the same day (matinee and gala) or over two consecutive days.
Avid Potter fans can catch “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child” once it opens at the Palace Theater in London on July 30, 2016 with preview performances starting on June 7, 2016.
Tickets go on sale online on Wednesday, Oct. 28 on a first come first served basis. For the preview performances, tickets are priced at £20, £50, £80 or £100 (for both Part 1 and 2). Regular shows are priced at £30, £70, £100 or £130.
Harry Potter Play ‘The Cursed Child’ Updates: Official Synopsis, Show Dates, and Ticket Prices