Official character portraits of the Australian cast of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child have been released ahead of the first preview performance at Melbourne’s Princess Theatre.
One play presented in two parts, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child began with Part One earlier tonight and continues with Part Two tomorrow, Saturday 19 January at 7:30pm. The Australian premiere production officially opens with a red carpet gala on Saturday 23 February 2019.
The cast were photographed in their family groups – the Potters, the Granger-Weasleys and the Malfoys. Seen in character for the first time are Gareth Reeves as Harry Potter, Lucy Goleby as his wife Ginny Potter and Sean Rees-Wemyss as their son Albus Potter; Gyton Grantley as Ron Weasley, Paula Arundell as Hermione Granger and Manali Datar their daughter Rose Granger-Weasley; Tom Wren as Draco Malfoy and 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, Sienna Conti, Louis Corbett, Gillian Cosgriff, Mark Dickinson, Lyndall Grant, Ruby Hall, George Henare, Alfie Hughes, Soren Jensen, Hamish Johnston, Madeleine Jones, Ezra Justin, Amanda LaBonté, Debra Lawrance, Kuda Mapeza, Kirsty Marillier, Cle Morgan, James O’Connell, David Ross Paterson, Archie Pitcher, Zakaria Rahhali, John Shearman, David Simes, Hayden Spencer, Slone Sudiro, Connor Sweeney, Sasha Turinui, 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. Both parts of the play are intended to be seen in order on the same day (matinee and evening) or on two consecutive evenings.
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.
The most awarded play in theatre history, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child has won 24 major theatre awards in the UK and 25 in the US. It opened in London in July 2016 winning a record-breaking nine Olivier Awards including Best New Play and Best Director and made its Broadway premiere in April 2018 winning six Tony Awards including Best Play and Best Director of a Play.
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 multi-award-winning theatrical event is exclusive to Melbourne and is currently booking at the newly renovated Princess Theatre until 1 December 2019. For more information, visit: www.harrypottertheplay.com for details.
Image: The Australian cast of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. (L-R) Gyton Grantley as Ron Weasley, Manali Datar as Rose Granger-Weasley, Paula Arundell as Hermione Granger, Sean Rees-Wemyss as Albus Potter, Lucy Goleby as Ginny Potter, Gareth Reeves as Harry Potter, Tom Wren as Draco Malfoy and William McKenna as Scorpius Malfoy – photo by Damian Bennett