A Review with an Invisibility Cloak On…#KeepTheSecrets
(photo from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harry_Potter_and_the_Cursed_Child)
By far the hottest and most talked…or not-allowed-to talk about show in recent years, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child has finally made its way exclusively to Melbourne (we are only the third city globally to host this phenomenon) after its success in the West End and Broadway.
Having been sworn to secrecy #KeepTheSecrets before entering the show (I have a badge to proof it), this review won’t be revealing or discussing any plot details but will focus on the overall atmosphere and the cast performances – think of it as a review with an invisibility cloak on.
So what can be said about this play? Well, this play is of course about Harry Potter and based on the book by the same name – written by J. K Rowling, Jack Thorne and John Tiffany. It is set sometime around the end/epilogue of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows. The play is divided into Parts 1 and 2, Part 1 is approx. 2 hours 40 minutes and Part 2 is approx. 2 hours 30 minutes. Audience can choose to either purchase tickets to both parts on the same day OR Part 1 on one night and Part 2 on another.
This was an absolutely spellbinding and magical production – it captivated its audience right from the start and maintained momentum to the very end of the play. We were enthralled throughout as though under a spell – a spell that still lingers to this day.
The production gave us everything; from gasping for air laughter and edge-of-your-seat suspense, to eyes-drowning tearful and heart leaping moments. Every cast member and stage crew deserved the never ending thunderously deafening applause that filled the theatre each night.
The entire cast was spectacular. Each member blended and interweaved with each other flawlessly. To describe each cast’s performances would take more than 10,000 words but a few standouts must be mentioned in order to give a flavour of the cast’s professionalism and faultless performances.
James O’Connell, the understudy for Harry Potter, was immaculate in his portrayal as the boy who lived – complementing perfectly to O’Connell’s Potter like two pieces of a jigsaw puzzle is Tom Wren’s Draco Malfroy. Both delivered their lines and performance with compelling and powerful emotions – watching them execute their roles, whether it was in scenes separately or scenes together, was an absolute delight. Their ability to bounce their energies off of each other is magic itself, filling the theatre with laughter and tears (sometimes at the same time).
A well-deserved shout-out must be given to a young performer who…words simply cannot express how impeccably bewitching his performance is. William McKenna’s portrayal as Scorpius Malfoy was absolutely mystical to watch. With boundless onstage presence, seamless delivery and perfect timing of each line, his performance – each movements down to the tiniest detail of the gestures that make up Scorpius Malfroy – appeared effortless. His monologue was raw and powerful, filling his audience with a roller coaster of emotions and swelled hearts. It was beyond simply a performer portraying a role – it was as though McKenna drank a Polyjuice potion and transformed himself into Scropius. A true wizard of his craft, it is hard to believe that this is his professional debut – there is no doubt he is and will be a strong force look out for and be reckoned with.
The Melbourne Production of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child has conjured an enchanting tale that really has to be seen to be believed. Don’t miss having one night (or two if you’re seeing Part 1 and 2 separately) of pure magic – complete with potions, wands, wizards and witches.
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is currently playing in Melbourne at The Princess Theatre. For details, head to: https://www.harrypottertheplay.com/au/
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