Harry Potter and the Cursed Child - SPOILER THREAD

So, Im not too sure if this has been asked and Im sorry if it has but I finally read the script for this play and the thing that I wasnt sure about was that Delphi snaps Albus' wand before using the time turer but he has it during the battle with Harry. How?

Hi all,

Just read through the thread to see the progression between previews to the official opening.

I'm halfway through reading the rehearsal script for the Cursed Child and was wondering if anyone can share any differences they've seen between:

a) The early June previews vs. the late July previews

b) The June previews and the script

c) The July previews and the script

d) The official opening and the script

I went to the 27th of July preview and noticed quite a few scenes were cut once I started to read the script so I'm curious to see what everyone else can remember in the scenarios mentioned above. I love these kinds of details so any input would be appreciated!

As an example of scenario c), a few differences between the script and the July preview I saw include no Bane and no Myrtle on stage. I think they were briefly mentioned by Harry to progress the plot but unless my memory has failed me I don't recall seeing those two characters on stage. And I also don't recall Harry and Draco duelling in the kitchen. There's plenty more but those are from off the top of my head.

Thanks!!

Also, I'm waiting in the online queue again for the May 2017 to Dec 2017 ticket release just so I can see it again and see if there are any more changes. Anyone else also waiting/got tickets? I'm really far behind in the queue (like approx 125,000 people behind, so I shall see if I even get the chance) since I fell asleep from recovering from jetlag and the first day back at work.

Yeah, unfortunately from the preview I saw, there was no Myrtle, which was a shame since she's one of my fave minor characters and from what you and others have said, the actress sounded great as well. Edited to add: Although, I'm starting to doubt my memory regarding Myrtle because I took of photo of the cast list in the foyer on the day I went and it mentions: 'Annabel Baldwin - roles include Moaning Myrtle.' Perhaps someone else who went to the same preview or close to it can clarify? So much happened that day that it does begin to blur.

I would've appreciated seeing Bane just to see if he translated well on stage, but I can see why his scenes were cut - interesting element to add, but for cutting down time I can see why his scenes were part of the ones to go.

The Hogwarts Express Trolley Lady scene is still in there.

At least you have a better chance in the Nimax queue than I do! I'm 124,000 now.

I went on the 20th and Bane and Myrtle were definitely in. Friend of mine went on the 27th and I'm sure she spoke about Bane and Myrtle.

I see. Perhaps Bane and the kitchen duel weren't as memorable for me. I wish my past-self could write down what I saw that night when it was fresh. If only I had a Time-Turner ;P

Edited to add: Oh. My. God. I finally realised why I thought scenes were missing. It's because I missed them entirely! During Part One, my boyfriend and I left at the end of Part One, Act I without realising it was just the interval! Oh. My. Goodness. This is horrible. I recall thinking it was a weird way to end Part One, because as it turns out, it wasn't bloody finished!! And it also explains a lot. Whelp. I definitely need go back watch it all properly. What a terrible mistake. Definitely need a Time-Turner now. ARGHHHHHHH.

Whaaaa! How? Didn't you wonder why no one really left? And why act two had an interval? And how the plot had progressed without explaining anything? I feel sorry for you but not sure how it's only just clicked! 

Have to agree with theatremonkey.....I feel awful for you grocker.....

It's quite funny in a 'God, do u remember the time...' way!

My brother always tells his kids it's the end at the interval

My apologies, I didn't mention this after typing so much late at night

I am aware that there is a lot that Rowling couldn't develop over time. These are two plays, not a seven book series

Of course we have to be told stuff through exposition so that we can get we can get to the meat of the story. I had to keep telling myself that, and yeah I'm thinking too much into some of this

But still there were a few things I struggled to buy. I knew Harry was going to be different grown up, but the conflict that went on and on annoyed me a bit

Anyway thanks for the explanations.

Yes I am aware of the polyjuice potion, though transforming into someone would cut out the trouble of getting someone's hair. I can't remember whether it was alluded to in the books. Sounds like something that's very advanced that Harry would have learnt in his 'extended' final year, though I'd would be surprised that Hermione didn't learn it herself to use in the final book

Was it really the plays logo on Delphis back. Did anyone sitting closer get a good look at it

I wouldn't say you're overthinking it, David J. I thought a lot of the same things as I was watching it!

Hmm, where to start...

Well, I've recently started re-reading the books. I'm three quarters of the way through book 2 and the 3 kids have used polyjuice potion to get into the Slytherin common room to try to wheedle something out of Draco. As you suspected, it was good old Hermione who put the potion together! And yes, the boys had to get some of Crabbe and Goyle's hair to add to the potion for the juice to work. Hermione was less lucky, but that's another story... ;-)

Voldemort tramping through the church set made me giggle, too. It had to be that way to work on the stage, of course, but it was mildly amusing.

As far as Harry's character development goes... I really liked Jamie Parker's portrayal. There is so much about Harry in this play that makes him potentially a really unlikeable character, so his underlying vulnerability has to be constantly in play if you're not to lose the audience's sympathy. I think he nailed that. It seemed clear to me that a lot of what Harry does comes from a place of fear, and an inability to connect with a particular child.

Possibly it helps that I know a guy who had a very fractious relationship with what, to him, seemed a very authoritarian father. As someone entirely outside that relationship looking in, it seemed to me that some of what seemed to my friend like 'dad being an overbearing and unpleasant git' was actually dad trying to protect his son, but not wanting to admit to the emotion behind that and so just coming across as 'You'll do as I say, and so will everyone else.' Which is that McGonagall scene to a tee.

Sadly, my friend's dad died when he was still young, so there was no opportunity to mend that relationship. We lost touch, but I do wonder how he feels now he's a dad himself - whether he recognises the same impulses in himself to protect his child, or whether like Harry he feels he has no role model to draw on, because even as a child he so utterly rejected his dad. I hope it has led to some emotional healing, though.

My reading is that the conversation with Dumbledore - where he clearly voices the damage that the protective instinct can do - allows Harry to come to terms somewhat with thoughts he's perhaps never been able to confront Dumbledore with before, and in turn he then recognises the very same damage he's doing to young Albus.

Maybe it is a thing you have to be older to understand? (Not being condescending, just picking up on your point and genuinely wondering what others think.) I'm 40 and while not a parent myself, I have a niece and have watched friends become parents. When you experience how you interact with a young relative, and see the sort of parents your friends/family members become, you can definitely see how the past plays into that.

I hadn't seen the video interview with Parker until the official Facebook account posted it yesterday, so it was interesting to see how, for him, that element made the play really come alive for him. Perhaps, watching the play, that came through for me, as it was definitely my favourite element of the story.