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"Harry Potter and the Cursed Child", based on a new story
part-written by Rowling, opens at the Palace Theatre in London's
West End district on July 30, 2016, publicists for the
production said on Friday.
The story takes place 19 years after Harry's final showdown with
the dark wizard Lord Voldemort, described in "Harry Potter and
the Deathly Hallows", the seventh book.
Now an overworked employee of the Ministry of Magic with three
school-age children, Harry "grapples with a past that refuses to
stay where it belongs", a statement about the new play said.
Meanwhile, Albus, named after Harry's old headmaster and mentor
Albus Dumbledore, struggles with the weight of the family
legacy.
"As past and present fuse ominously, both father and son learn
the uncomfortable truth: sometimes, darkness comes from
unexpected places," the publicists said.
The play will be in two parts which are intended to be seen in
order on the same day, or on two consecutive evenings. An
initial 16 weeks of performances will go on sale in the first
booking period, which starts on Oct. 30.
Publicists have been releasing a drip-drip of information over
several months in what appears to be a strategy to tantalise
fans, although commercial success for the venture looks
extremely likely regardless of any marketing efforts.
POTTER'S GOLD
So far everything connected to Harry Potter has turned to gold.
Rowling's books have sold over 450 million copies and been
translated into 78 languages, while the eight-part film
franchise based on the books grossed more than $7 billion at the
worldwide box office.
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The new story was a collaboration between Rowling, scriptwriter Jack
Thorne and theatre director John Tiffany, who has won awards in
London and New York for his work on the musical "Once".
"The story only exists because the right group of people came
together with a brilliant idea about how to present Harry Potter on
stage," Rowling was quoted as saying.
"I'm confident that when audiences see 'Harry Potter and the Cursed
Child' they will understand why we chose to tell the story in this
way."
Responding to a tweet about the artwork for the new production,
Rowling said on her Twitter account: "And I love it!" The artwork
shows what appears to be a child in a bird's nest with wings, on a
bright yellow background possibly evoking fire.
Both parts of the play will be performed on the opening day, July
30. Reduced price previews will start on June 7.
Tickets go on sale online at 1100 GMT on Oct. 28 for those who
registered for priority booking on the official website,
HarryPotterthePlay.com. Tickets then go on sale to the general
public on Oct. 30 at 1100 GMT (7.00 p.m. EDT).
(The story corrects paragraph one to Albus as youngest son, not
child.)
(Reporting by Estelle Shirbon Editing by Jeremy Gaunt)
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