It was the day I saw Harry Potter and the Cursed Child for the first time. After a year of excitement, weeks of refusing to read reviews and staying well clear of spoilers, I was finally going to see it.
And it was amazing.
I've written before of my nerves when I first entered the auditorium. Harry Potter had already been a part of my life for 14 years at that point. I had invested what felt like so much of my life in those children's stories. They were my childhood, and I honestly don't know who I'd be without their influence in my life. The characters, plot and themes will always mean a great deal to me.
I had been introduced to the films first, then the books, which I pored over and read constantly, often well into the early hours. I bought the later books on their publishing date, and booked to see the latter films on their release dates. I'd know instantly if the films deviated from the plot, changed things or added in moments, simply because I knew the books inside and out. I was a massive fan.
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| Jamie Parker, Sam Clemmett and Poppy Miller, as Harry Potter, Albus Potter and Ginny Weasley Potter, respectively. |
But Cursed Child was different. It was a shock to the system, truth be told. I was going to be reimmersed back into a world I thought had been closed off years before. I had no expectations, no idea of the plot or themes. I went into the Palace Theatre completely blind, knowing only that the story concerned the second generation of characters, namely, Albus, the son of Ginny and Harry Potter.
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| Alex Price and Anthony Boyle, as Draco Malfoy and Scorpius Malfoy, respectively. |
I was blown away and captivated. It's just the most stunning story of friendship, and loss, and love in all its many forms. It's warm and moving and so, so beautiful. The play is just packed with heart, and it is no real surprise to anyone lucky enough to see it why such a huge sub-fandom has been built up around it. It touches people in a way they never would have expected, and brings together fans who experienced not only the play itself, but also similar life experiences. It did for me.
I was exposed to the most stellar cast - truly some of the greatest actors and actresses of the age. They're just phenomenal.
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| Paul Thornley, Noma Dumezweni and Cherrelle Skeete, as Ron Weasley, Hermione Granger and Rose Granger-Weasley, respectively. |
No one is surprised at the record-breaking 9 Oliviers the play won as a whole back in April. It's nice to see the recognition of the play, the actors and the writer I love so much. Every award the play receives is totally justified and completely well-deserved.
And now Broadway beckons. It was only announced yesterday that seven of the original cast going over to open the play there, the majority of them making their debut on those boards. The Tonys are certainly looking very exciting!
Through this gorgeous play I have made friends with some of the most amazing people you could ever hope to meet. They're caring and kind, witty and intelligent, and just such good people. I'm so lucky.
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| Cast change. |
What a blessing this peculiar play about cursed wizards has been in my life.
Roll on the Hogwarts Express on 1st September.
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