Harry Potter and the Cursed Child: West End play focuses on Harry's youngest son

The West End play Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is to pick up Potter’s story where the last novel left off. Rumours that the play would be a prequel were dispelled by author JK Rowling earlier this year. It has now been declared a sequel, and the official eighth story in the series. It will focus on Harry’s youngest son, Albus Severus, who in the epilogue to Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows is about to start his first year at Hogwarts.

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The synopsis has been posted on the Pottermore website:

It was always difficult being Harry Potter and it isn’t much easier now that he is an overworked employee of the Ministry of Magic, a husband and father of three school-age children.

While Harry grapples with a past that refuses to stay where it belongs, his youngest son Albus must struggle with the weight of a family legacy he never wanted. As past and present fuse ominously, both father and son learn the uncomfortable truth: sometimes, darkness comes from unexpected places.

The newly released artwork for the play, which will open in summer 2016 at London’s Palace theatre, depicts a young boy in a winged nest. Casting details have not yet been announced, although it has been revealed that more than 30 actors will appear in the play. There are two parts to Harry Potter and the Cursed Child which can be seen either on separate days or in one epic double bill.

The play is based on an original new story by Rowling, writer Jack Thorne and director John Tiffany. “The story only exists because the right group of people came together with a brilliant idea about how to present Harry Potter on stage,” said Rowling. “I’m confident that when audiences see Harry Potter and the Cursed Child they will understand why we chose to tell this story in this way.”

Tickets for the play go on sale online at 11am GMT on Wednesday 28 October, on a first-come, first-served basis for those who have registered for priority booking. They are on sale to the general public from 11am GMT on Friday 30 October. Tickets will be available from £10 per part for the previews, which begin at London’s Palace theatre in late May 2016.