People look forward to the summer months for many reasons, whether it be getting a break from school or the chance to see some of the biggest movies of the year. This particular summer, however, fans in the U.K. will get to experience a brand newHarry Potterstory live on the London West End stage whenHarry Potter and the Cursed Childopens for previews at the Palace Theatre in London on June 7, before its first official performance on July 30. While we await any further details about this long-awaited stage play, a new preview has surfaced that offers a behind-the-scenes look at the rehearsal process.
The video, which was posted at the officialHarry Potter and the Cursed Child Facebook, features authorJ.K. Rowlingvisiting the rehearsals, and while we do see a number of actors practicing some sort of maneuvers with their wands, it’s difficult to figure out what exactly is happening. One brief snippet of footage shows several actors choreographing a scene that involves a number of trunks and suitcases. The video also featuresJ.K. Rowlingmeeting with directorJohn Tiffanyand playwrightJack Thorne. Here’s what she had to say during that meeting, where she emphasized keeping the secrets of this story under wraps.
“One of the things that I have valued most about the Potter fandom is that as a community, they have really looked out for each other. People have each others' backs. It’s a special thing. It’s for that reason, more than any other, that I would like us - if we can - to keep our secrets. This will be such an incredible theatrical experience, that I’d love us to be able to surprise people and move people in the natural way that a story should surprise and move people.”
John Tiffanyalso talks about how the first preview audiences will help the director and writer get a better idea of what works and what doesn’t, and that, essentially, every preview performance will be quite different than the last.Jack Thornealso reveals that aspects of the play that work well in rehearsal may not have the same impact on the stage. Since we still have several weeks until the first preview performance, we’ll have to wait and see if any more of these sneak peek videos will be released.
Thestage play castincludesJamie Parkeras Harry Potter,Noma Dumezwenias Hermione Granger andPaul Thornleyas Ron Weasley. The cast is rounded out by Nicola Alexis, Helen Aluko, Jeremy Ang Jones, Rosemary Annabella, Annabel Baldwin, Jack Bennett, Paul Bentall, Anthony Boyle, Zoe Brough, Sam Clemmett, Morag Cross, Cristina Fray, Rudi Goodman, Claudia Grant, James Howard, Christiana Hutchings, Lowri James, Chris Jarman, Martin Johnston, Bili Keogh, Chipo Kureya, James Le Lacheur, Helena Lymbery, Tom Mackley, Barry McCarthy, Sandy McDade, Andrew McDonald, Adam McNamara, Poppy Miller, Tom Milligan, Jack North, Alex Price, Stuart Ramsay, Nuno Silva, Cherrelle Skeete, Esther Smith, Nathaniel Smith, Dylan Standen and Joshua Wyatt. No character details have been given for any of these actors quite yet, but the cast list includes seven child actors who will alternate between roles.
J.K. Rowlingshot down rumors last month that aHarry Potter and the Cursed Child moviewill be coming to the big screen. But fans will get to see a much different glimpse at this magical world in theaters later this year. Warner Bros. will releaseFantastsic Beasts and Where to Find Themin theaters on November 18, which will be the first movie in a new trilogy. Check out this behind-the-scenes video fromThe Cursed Child, and stay tuned for more sneak peeks as we get closer to the play’s debut this summer in London.
