If summoning charms were real, Harry Potter fans everywhere would be trying to find the new script for the play Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. Accio more information!
Author J.K. Rowling announced on Jun. 25 that a new play, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, would debut in London's West End next summer. Tickets will go on sale this fall.
Based on a new story, the play is a collaboration between Rowling, director John Tiffany and writer Jack Thorne. But there are a few more things you need to know about what's soon to be the West End's hottest show.
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I'm also very excited to confirm today that a new play called Harry Potter and the #CursedChild will be opening in London next year.— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) June 26, 2015
1. It's not a prequel.
Although Rowling is remaining tight-lipped about the story's plot, she's been adamant about one thing: this is not a prequel. She's really, really serious about that.
#CursedChild NOT a prequel. Lots of people asking, so I thought I'd say that again! NOT a prequel!— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) June 26, 2015
2. It will tell a new story.
Though the play's title is very similar to all the Harry Potter book titles, Rowling promises the story will be new. It won't just be a theatrical rehashing of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (though we'd probably be excited about that, too).
It will tell a new story, which is the result of a collaboration between writer Jack Thorne, director John Tiffany and myself. #CursedChild— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) June 26, 2015
It has been a huge pleasure to share with them (and soon, with you!) this untold part of Harry's story. #CursedChild— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) June 26, 2015
3. U.S. fans will have to wait (for now).
The show will be opening in London next year. No other announcements for extended dates have yet been announced. That means U.S. crowds will just have to wait and hope the play does well enough in London to debut stateside as well. But this is Harry Potter we're talking about -- anything the boy wizard touches turns to gold.
Besides, U.S. fans were the ones who turned Harry Potter into a musical, so the theater/Harry Potter fanbase is there.
4. It has a massively impressive creative team.
Aside from Rowling, the creative team behind the play includes an array of award-winning theater folks. Among them are Tony-winner John Tiffany and three-time Tony nominee Steven Hoggett, both of whom previously collaborated on productions of Once and Let the Right One In.
The team also includes Jack Thorne, a BAFTA-winning writer, and Christine Jones, a Tony Award-winning set designer. The team is rounded out with Tony-winning costume designer Katrina Lindsay and Grammy nominee Imogen Heap.
Rowling also gave a shout-out to Sonia Friedman, a Broadway and West End theater producer, on Twitter.
I've had countless offers to extend Harry's story over the years, but Jack, John and Sonia Friedman are a dream team! #CursedChild— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) June 26, 2015
5. It was never supposed to be a book or movie.
This is Rowling's first Harry Potter play, and some fans are confused as to why she chose the medium. Considering the page length of the original book series and the whimsical special effects in the film series, the theater world doesn't seem like an obvious choice. How could young witches and wizards possibly play Quidditch on a West End stage?
Never fear -- Rowling quelled fans' nerves by tweeting that a play was the "only proper medium for the story."
To answer one inevitable (and reasonable!) question - why isn't #CursedChild a new novel? - I am confident that when audiences see the play— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) June 26, 2015
they will agree that it was the only proper medium for the story. #CursedChild— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) June 26, 2015
6. Maybe J.K. Rowling thought no one would buy tickets?
As one of the most insanely rich and well-known authors in the world, you would think Rowling is used to people freaking out over her work. However, one of Rowling's tweets to writer Jack Thorne shows a slightly different side.
@jackthorne You know what? I don't think we needed to worry about filling the theatre. xxx— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) June 26, 2015
Can you imagine J.K. Rowling wringing her hands and wondering aloud, "Will the people come? Will they even buy tickets to this thing?"
We honestly wouldn't be surprised if this play becomes the fastest sold-out show in West End's history. Such is the power of J.K. Rowling.