Harry Potter’s magic stage debut
FIRST came 450 million books, then the blockbuster films. Now boy wizard Harry Potter is set to weave his magic on the stage.
A new stage play, Harry Potter And The Cursed Child, will open in London’s West End next year.
The drama, to the delight of millions of fans, reveals the “untold part” of Harry’s story, including twists and turns in the lives of his murdered parents.
It is the first play about the bespectacled teen but author JK Rowling was yesterday adamant it was definitely “not a prequel”.
The 49- year- old writer tweeted: “It will tell a new story, which is the result of a collaboration between writer Jack Thorne, director John Tiffany and myself. I don’t want to say too much more, because I don’t want to spoil what I know will be a real treat for fans. However, I can say that it is not a prequel!”
Rowling, whose books have been adapted into eight films starring Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint, said she decided on the medium of theatre rather than another page- turner.
She wrote: “To answer one inevitable ( and reasonable!) question – Why isn’t Cursed Child a new novel? – I am confident that when audiences see the play they will agree that it was the only proper medium for the story.
“I’ve had countless offers to extend Harry’s story over the years, but Jack, John and [ producer] Sonia Friedman are a dream team! It has been a huge pleasure to share with them ( and soon, with you!) this untold part of Harry’s story.”
She announced the show yesterday because it was “a very special day” – the 18th anniversary of the UK publication of her debut book, Harry Potter And The Philosopher’s Stone. Harry Potter And The Cursed Child opens at the Palace Theatre next summer with tickets going on sale in the autumn.
Rowling has long insisted there will be no new novels, but she has kept fans happy with spin- off works including the magical encyclopedia Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them, to become a film with Oscar star Eddie Redmayne.
It heralds Rowling’s screenwriting debut and is due in cinemas in November next year.