Rehearsals for the Australian premiere production of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child have begun in Melbourne, with the first images of the full company released. The award-winning, record-breaking theatrical event will open exclusively at Melbourne’s Princess Theatre with preview performances beginning in January.
Gareth Reeves will play Harry Potter with Lucy Goleby as his wife Ginny Potter and Sean Rees-Wemyss as their son Albus Potter. Gyton Grantley will play Ron Weasley with Paula Arundell as Hermione Granger and Manali Datar as their daughter Rose Granger-Weasley. Playing Draco Malfoy will be Tom Wren with William McKenna as his son Scorpius Malfoy.
The company of 42 performers also includes Iopu Auva’a, Damien Avery, Mike Bishop, Simon Chandler, Clare Chihambakwe, Louis Corbett, Gillian Cosgriff, Mark Dickinson, Lyndall Grant, George Henare, Soren Jensen, Hamish Johnston, Madeleine Jones, Amanda LaBonté, Debra Lawrance, Kuda Mapeza, Kirsty Marillier, Cle Morgan, James O’Connell, David Paterson, John Shearman, David Simes, Hayden Spencer, Slone Sudiro, Connor Sweeney, Jessica Vickers and Hannah Waterman.
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.
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 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.
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 critically acclaimed production 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. Tickets are now on sale. For more information, visit: www.HarryPotterThePlay.com for details.
Image: The cast of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child (Australia) in rehearsals – photo by Tim Carrafa