We have some very exciting news this morning for fans of Harry Potter. Author J.K. Rowling took to her Twitter account earlier to announce that a new stage play called Harry Potter and the Cursed Child would open in London’s Palace Theatre next year.
Rumours have been rampant for a few years that a West End play was in the works however now it is official. The new play will apparently explore the early days of Harry’s life and even delve further into the lives of Harry’s parents James and Lily before they were murdered by Lord Voldermort. But in a strange twist – and despite what a lot of other websites are reporting – Rowling also revealed that the play won’t be a prequel and “will tell a new story”.
The play was written by Jack Thorne (This Is England ’90, How I Live Now) from a story by Rowling and will be directed by John Tiffany, who won a Tony award for his stage adaptation of Once. Thorne and Tiffany also collaborated together on the West End version of Swedish vampire-noir Let The Right One In. Sonia Friedman and Colin Callender will produce.
Rowling didn’t give up any juicy details but was obviously very excited to officially speak about the project:
“I’ve had countless offers to extend Harry’s story over the years, but Jack, John and Sonia Friedman are a dream team…It has been a huge pleasure to share with them (and soon, with you!) this untold part of Harry’s story.”
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You might ask, ‘So why not just write another novel then?’ Well Rowling also answered that question too, “I am confident that when audiences see the play they will agree that it was the only proper medium for the story.”
She confirms it’s not a prequel but that it is an untold part of Harry’s story, which would insinuate it’s something that has already happened but we just haven’t seen it yet. Expect lots of flashbacks or possibly some sort of time traveling magic…? The original statement released back in 2013 when the play was first discussed stated that the play would “explore the previously untold story of Harry’s early years as an orphan and outcast”. Perhaps the original plans have been tweaked and the ‘Cursed Child’ in question is Harry’s son…?
Tickets go on sale in the Autumn with casting reportedly already underway.
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