Establishing a new standard for blockbuster plays in Australia, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child has drawn more than 325,000 attendees through the doors of the Princess Theatre in a run now entering its second year.
Opening to rave reviews 12 months ago, the production officially celebrates its first birthday this Sunday 1 March 2020. The Victorian Government secured the production for its February 2019 debut, making Melbourne only the third city to welcome the acclaimed play following its premiere in London in 2016 and a season in New York in 2018.
“It’s incredible to see how many new audience members of all ages have fallen under the spell of theatre within just a year – this further shows why Victoria is the creative capital of Australia,” said Minister for Creative Industries Martin Foley.
Victoria continues to be the creative and cultural capital of Australia, with studies showing that the state generates the highest share of national live performance attendance, as well as the highest share of attendance at musical theatre productions.
Harry Potter fans have travelled from near and far to enjoy the play in Melbourne with 50 per cent of ticket holders coming from regional Victoria, interstate or one of 42 countries around the world.
For many, the production was also a first theatre experience (51 per cent) and the first time visiting the Princess Theatre (77 per cent). The appeal of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child to younger audiences has also been strong with 44 per cent of attendees under the age of 35, introducing the theatre to a new generation.
The Princess Theatre, which was restored ahead of the show’s launch, is the only place in the southern hemisphere where theatregoers can see this lauded production.
Major events are big business for Victoria – an independent study in 2018 found that they contributed $2.5 billion to the state’s economy. The study showed that major events attracted almost 6.9 million international and interstate visitors to Victoria annually, up 24 per cent in two years, with direct jobs supported by major event growing by 10 per cent, to 3,350.
“Harry Potter and the Cursed Child has been working its magic in Victoria for a year and the support for the production from Victorians and visitors has been amazing,” said Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Martin Pakula. “People who travel to see the play stay here, they eat and drink here and they take in attractions across the state, creating jobs and keeping businesses strong.”
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child continues at the Princess Theatre until mid-2020. For more information and tickets, visit: www.harrypottertheplay.com for details.
Image: Harry Potter and the Cursed Child (Australian Cast) – photo by Matt Murphy