Harry Potter and the Cursed Child - SPOILER THREAD

Obviously I can't comment on the acting because I've not seen it, but from the summaries I think the idea of her evilness being a surprise seems very like Rowling's normal work. Introduce a character or object that doesn't seem very notable or important, and then with time discover they're a lot more important than they seemed. Though I guess the sudden nature of the reveal is not as much like Rowling who normally tends to have her characters slowly figure out the truth instead of having it suddenly thrust upon them in a plot twist (which is probably what they're aiming for in this production - a very sudden unexpected twist).

But then once Harry got his wand back from her (which I assume he does after she's captured, although I don't remember for certain) it would return to him, so it's a moot point.

You several times called her Adelphi. It was just a typo? Just trying to figure out if it means something or not.

Thanks for your thoughts. Could the person who was Snape possibly also have been Voldemort? I want to say they had similar body shapes but then they are wearing robes so I could be completely wrong.

Is it bad that every time there's been a part 2 performance I get excited because it means there may be new posts in here.

For the 2nd and 3rd preview viewers have they put in a fake owl? The owl delivered a letter to the Potter house which was possibly the letter telling them that Albus didn't get to Hogwarts (can't think of any other letter). Harry and Ginny were sitting at/near a table and the letter dropped to the floor.

Also CBP1 what was it that you thought wasn't going down as well with your audience as with the first preview?

hello spoiler thread! I've read all the posts here and will post some thoughts tomorrow once I've had time to gather them. Just quickly though...

I bloody loved train witch and I don't get the dislike of her!

The Bane scene. I really expected to come on here to see people saying it needed to go. There was quite a lot of giggling from the audience which I don't think is what they were going for.

I also get excited whenever there's a part 2 performance. Two show day today!!

This is way more than I thought I would write!

Ok! So thoughts having seen Part 1 on Thursday and part 2 on Friday.

From a staging/ technical viewpoint it's stunning, those time ripples across the stage blew my mind the first time they happen! So many moments that made me say wow. Would love a few more of those moments in Part 2.

The characters/ cast. The majority of the characters and relationships are really well written, this is totally where the strengths of the play lies. Anthony as Scorpius is fab, funny, awkward. Let's start with The Potters. Part 2 is when I realised how perfect Jamie Parker is for adult Harry. There is so much going on, so much conflict; he has all the same desire to do the good and right thing but can't run headlong into danger like before because he has something to lose which he didn't have before- family. Of course he has problems connecting to a son who he wants to keep safe more than anything. I expect Harry would consider locking Albus in a cupboard under the stairs to keep him out of harms way. Jamie Parker is properly brilliant, particularly when he stands in the middle of his friends and family watching the heartbreaking moment that defines his entire life happen in front of him, knowing he can't do anything about it.
Albus is exactly what you expect going in, a typical awkward teenager with the wait of legacy pressing hard upon him. Everyone tells him that his Dad is this incredible man but Albus just wants and needs a Dad. Sam Clemmett is sweet and plays the teenage frustration and confusion well. He's best ( and written best) in his scenes with Scorpius. Ginny is a wonderful, consistent bastion of calm. Poppy Miller plays her with the poise and thoughtfulness which I feel has always defined Ginny.

Scorpius is such a good addition to the Potter universe, I loved Anthony Boyle and thought he gave a funny, heartbreaking and heroic performance. He embodies the geeky outcast with a heart of gold just trying to do the right thing and for me he very much embodied the Harry type hero role from the books for much of the play. Adult Draco is the exact kind of complex, closed off, sad and conflicted man that messed up teenager should have become. Alex Price is a great Draco. I never thought I would come out of something Potter based loving the Malfoys!

The Granger- Weasleys! Noma Dumezweni is as others have said, perfect Hermione. I love that Hermione is minister, of course she is. Age has made her more subtle about just how much smarter than everyone else she is. More perfect casting ( and writing) when it comes to Paul Thornley as Ron. Ron hasn't really changed with age and that's ok; Paul is pitch perfect and Ron is always there to give moments of light in times of extreme darkness.
I was sad that Rose wasn't more of a feature. I see why but at times this does feel like a boys club and I desperately wanted more of a female stamp on this show.


Delphie. I loved Delphie and Esther Smith's (who is brilliant in so many things) performance in act 1, I think they have some serious character development work to do to make Delphie's progression to her reveal and subsequent actions more serious and grounded. Right now she's a little panto. We don't get a scene of her by herself or her really opening up about what a messed up life she's had in an honest way which would make her more accessible to an audience. I hope they are tinkering and will fix this in the next few weeks because Esther is a great actress but right now the writing doesn't get her to the place she needs to be to give the character the depth required.

Other randoms bits I liked...

The end of Part 1 is such a huge story thing and a stunning image to end on. When Umbridge appeared the entire audience lost their s**t! That final scene of Scorpius slowly realising what reality he has found himself in and the Dementors swooping down was breathtaking and such a great way to leave Part 1.

I love how it ties into the Triwizard Tournament. It was always a big moment with repercussions for everyone in the original series and it's a perfect choice for an anchor for this story.

So much redemption for Slytherin in this show. I love that.

As soon as changing the timeline comes into play you can feel the audience exploding with thoughts about the possibilities. I'm sure I was not alone in going into part 2 wishing for Snape. The scene where Scorpius risks everything and confronts Snape with the truth was one of my favourites, and of course Hermione is still around in that timeline. She is Hermione after all!

Overall I think act 1 is stronger in terms of staging and story, but act 2 is stronger for character and relationship development. Yes it's fan service but there's no way it can be anything else.
I hope they fix Delphie to give her enough depth and background to make her a more serious, and legitimate threat/ character. For her to really work we need to empathise with her more.

My one big disappointment was the lack of a more heroic, involved female character. I guess they were locked in by the characters created in the books and I love the Albus/ Harry conflict, but I think they had a huge opportunity here to give little girls another hero to look up to.

Ultimately it really is magical. Being one of the army of twenty somethings who grew up alongside these books; new stories in Harry's world are always going to feel special. I really feel like you have to see it in person to experience it properly because the staging lifts it so high. It has all the light and shade we expect from Potter and then some.

I'm so pleased I got to see this completely unspoiled but sad that no one else I know has seen it yet!

Yes big applause and gasping. I think people are just so thrilled to see these characters in front of them.

I agree it's important plotwise but I felt like it needed some sort of tweaking. I really liked the concept but it felt a little bit panto horse to me. And the acting felt a bit over the top. If the actor reined it in a bit (pun definitely intended) I think it could really work.

hi, and is there any flying or wire work?

yes....a bit of a sucker for any flying. It's still hard to beat Poppins.

thank you Dippy....