J.K. Rowling announced today that Harry Potter And The Cursed Child, a spin-off play about the boy wizard, will open in London’s West End in summer 2016. The play, which is described as filling in the untold story of Potter including what happened to his parents, is written by much in-demand Brit scribe Jack Thorne (This Is England), with music by Imogen Heap. Cursed Child will be staged by the Once and Black Watch team of John Tiffany (director) and Steven Hoggett (movement). The show will have sets by Christine Jones (American Idiot), costumes by Katrina Lindsay (the just-opened Bend It Like Beckham), lighting by Neil Austin, sound by Gareth Fry and special effects by Jeremy Chernick.
Sonia Friedman Productions is producing, with Colin Callender‘s Playground Entertainment and Harry Potter Theatrical Productions. Harry Potter And The Cursed Child will have its world premiere at London’s Palace Theatre. Friedman and Callender are experienced hands at UK-to-Broadway transfers, so look for a move to Times Square if the show is successful.
In her tweets, Rowling said the play is not a prequel, though it clearly reveals much of Harry’s back story. She is also currently working on the script for another Potter spin-off, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them for Warner Bros.
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