Tickets for the Australian premiere of record-breaking theatrical event Harry Potter and the Cursed Child have gone on sale to the general public today, following unprecedented demand for priority booking tickets, which were initially released to mailing list subscribers last Monday, which sold-out on the same day.
The multi-award winning production will open exclusively in Melbourne with performances from Wednesday 16 January 2019 at the Princess Theatre. Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is one play presented in two Parts, which are intended to be seen in order on the same day (matinee and evening) or on two consecutive evenings (see schedule below).
“We’re overwhelmed by the response to our very first priority ticket release for Harry Potter and Cursed Child in Australia and thank ticket buyers for their patience whilst waiting in queue online,” said Producers Sonia Friedman and Colin Callender.
“Today we will be releasing additional seats to the general public for performances up until November 3, 2019, so there will be another opportunity to purchase tickets. We are excited to be a step closer in bringing our magical production to Australia and making Melbourne our next home,” they added.
Based on an original new story by J.K. Rowling, Jack Thorne and John Tiffany, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is a new play by Jack Thorne, directed by John Tiffany. It is the eighth story in the Harry Potter series and the first official Harry Potter story to be presented on stage.
The critically acclaimed production is the most awarded play in theatre history. Since opening in London in July 2016 it has won 24 major theatre awards in the UK, with a record-breaking nine Olivier Awards including Best New Play and Best Director. It made its Broadway premiere in April 2018 and is the most awarded show of the season, winning 25 awards in total, including six Tony Awards, six Outer Critics Circle Awards and five Drama Desk Awards.
It was always difficult being Harry Potter and it isn’t much easier now that he is an overworked employee of the Ministry of Magic, a husband and father of three school-age children. While Harry grapples with a past that refuses to stay where it belongs, his youngest son Albus must struggle with the weight of a family legacy he never wanted. As past and present fuse ominously, both father and son learn the uncomfortable truth: sometimes, darkness comes from unexpected places.
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is directed by John Tiffany with movement by Steven Hoggett, set by Christine Jones, costumes by Katrina Lindsay, music & arrangements by Imogen Heap, lighting by Neil Austin, sound by Gareth Fry, illusions & magic by Jamie Harrison and music supervision & arrangements by Martin Lowe.
International Casting Consultant is Jim Carnahan and Australian casting by Janine Snape. Executive Producer of the Australian production is Michael Cassel. The full cast will be announced at a later date.
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child plays from Wednesday 16 January at Melbourne’s Princess Theatre. The Official Opening performances of Parts One and Part Two will be on Saturday 23 February 2019. For more information, visit: www.harrypottertheplay.com for details.
Image: Harry Potter and the Cursed Child (New York Production) – photo by Matthew Murphy
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child performance schedule:
The schedule for preview performances (16 January to 22 February 2019) varies from the regular schedule. From Monday 25 February 2019 the regular performance schedule (excluding variations due to public holidays) will be:
Monday – no performance
Tuesday – no performance
Wednesday – 2:00pm Part One & 7:30pm Part Two
Thursday – 7:30pm Part One
Friday – 7:30pm Part Two
Saturday – 2:00pm Part One & 7:30pm Part Two
Sunday – 2:00pm Part One & 7:30pm Part Two