The current cast of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. Photo: Manuel Harlan
You’ve read the books, you’ve watched the films, you’ve played the Playstation game and now you want to see the stage show?
Here’s everything you need to know about Harry Potter and the Cursed Child before you book your tickets.
Everything you need to know about Harry Potter and the Cursed Child
What is Harry Potter and the Cursed Child about?
Set 19 years after the events of the last Harry Potter book, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child sees Harry, Ron and Hermonie on a new adventure that includes a new generation of wizards – including their own children. Harry now works for the Ministry of Magic while his son Albus is off to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
The play is written by Jack Thorne and adapted from a new story by Harry Potter author JK Rowling, Jack Thorne and John Tiffany. Although you don’t need to have read the original series of seven books (or watched the films), it definitely helps to know the backstory.
Where is Harry Potter and the Cursed Child playing in London?
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child plays at the Palace Theatre in the heart of London’s West End.
How long is Harry Potter and the Cursed Child / What is the running time of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child?
Long! So long it’s actually in two parts which you can see either on one day with a matinee and an evening performance, or you can book to see Part One and Part Two on different days.
Part One is 2 hours and 40 minutes including a 20 minute interval and Part Two is 2 hours and 35 minutes and also includes a 20 minute interval. So, 5 hours and 15 minutes of theatre in total – how you feel about sitting in a theatre seat for that period of time probably influences whether you want to do the show in one day or two.
Who is starring in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child?
The current West End cast of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child features David Ricardo-Pearce, Polly Frame, Ellis Rae, Thomas Aldridge, Jade Ogugua, Taneetrah Porter, Steve John Shepherd and Harry Acklowe in the main cast, alongside an ensemble cast.
What days is Harry Potter and the Cursed Child playing?
Due to its two-part format, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child works a little differently to other West End shows. Performances take place on Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays with a matinee performance of Part One and an evening performance of Part Two.
You can book to see both parts in one day or over two different dates. There is also the option to book only Part One or Part Two.
Performances days often change around bank holidays and the festive seasons, so always check the show’s booking page for the latest updates.
How long has Harry Potter and the Cursed Child been playing in London?
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child began previews on 7 June 2016 ahead of an official opening night of 30 July 2016. It has ran continuously at the Palace Theatre since then, bar an 18 month enforced closure from March 2020 to October 2021 as a result of the COVID pandemic.
The show has also run in New York on Broadway, Melbourne, San Francisco, Hamburg, Toronto and Tokyo with each of those locations switching from a two-part format to a one-part format which runs for 3 hours and 30 minutes including an interval.
What did critics think of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child?
They thought it was magic! Stars and awards followed shortly after its official opening night.
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