There are moments in theatre that leave you wondering how on earth they pulled it off. Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is full of them, writes Cara Simmonds.
A decade after first spellbinding audiences in London’s West End, the award-winning production has returned in a revamped, one-part format.
And while the story may have been trimmed down, the magic certainly has not.
Set 19 years after the events of the Deathly Hallows, we follow Harry’s son Albus as he begins his own journey at Hogwarts.
The youngster strikes up an unlikely friendship with Scorpius, son of Draco Malfoy, and their actions soon threaten to change the past, putting the future of the wizarding world at risk.
Running for two hours and 55 minutes, including an interval, this new version at the Palace Theatre in the heart of London’s West End, makes the show much easier to fit into an evening in the capital.
Introducing new characters into such a well-known franchise is no easy task, but Albus (Ethan Rouse) and Scorpius (Bill Stanley) each hold their own on stage.
There is a lot the young performers have to contend with, from lengthy dialogues to complex choreography, all while keeping up with the fast-moving scenes. But they take it in their stride.
It is their friendship that is now the beating heart of the new one-parter and is focused on more heavily throughout.
I must give a special mention to the practical effects in this production, which left me completely bewildered.
They were nothing like anything I had seen in theatre before.
Just as I was processing one incredible moment, the scene would change and another illusion would take place.
Wizards and witches appeared seemingly out of nowhere, objects moved by themselves and walls appeared to warp through time.
That’s not to mention the incredible flashes of fire shooting from wands during duels.
I was left wondering how on earth they had managed to pull some of it off.
The choreography is equally impressive, with the cast and technical team working together to make the seemingly impossible happen.
Everyone behind the scenes deserves enormous credit for bringing this magical world to life.
It’s fair to say it is an intense production, tackling complicated issues such as grief, trauma and complex family relationships.
The struggle surrounding Harry (David Ricardo-Pearce) over how he can be a better father and the expectations for his son is an emotional watch - offering a different perspective to the fearless character we grew up with.
But there are plenty of laughs, too. I was surprised by how often I found myself chuckling with the rest of the audience, thanks to the dry humour woven throughout the script.
The long-established history between the Potters and Malfoys provides plenty of opportunities for comedic banter, while Ron (Thomas Aldridge) is brilliant at lightening the mood when things get heavy.
You do have to keep your wits about you at times to follow the ever-changing scenery and shifting timelines.
Scenes whizz by like you are on a broomstick, and with a swish of a cloak, you’ve been transported from the Ministry of Magic to a hidden room at Hogwarts.
Although I never saw the original two-part production, I would have welcomed more moments with Harry, Hermione and Ron.
However, the streamlined format keeps the focus on Albus and Scorpius, and I found that to be the right call.
Even 10 years after the show first opened in London, its familiar characters and themes of family and friendship continue to offer plenty for audiences to connect with.
The reimagined show is booking until September 2027, with 110,000 new tickets now on sale.
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