This show could save you months of ploughing through J.K. Rowling’s books. On the other hand, it could inspire you to dig out those Harry Potter books and actually read them.
However in the event that you actually have read them all, you might find yourself convulsing in paroxysms of laughter, as was the young man sitting beside your reviewer who looked hardly old enough to read, but happily confided at the end that he had read all seven books, and that the show was wonderful, thereby trumping this review.
This delightfully silly concoction, the brainchild of British writers, Daniel Clarkson and Jeff Turner, and directed by Clarkson for this 15th Anniversary tour, and performed with obvious relish and unflagging enthusiasm by talented New Zealanders, Adam Brown and Tama Jarman, takes on the challenge of condensing the storylines of all seven Harry Potter books into seventy-five minutes.
It’s a tall order, and only the most devoted Potterphiles (and there seemed to be a lot of them in the audience) would be able to make head or tail of the madcap antics of Brown and Jarman as they assumed a myriad of characters utilising an endless stream of ridiculous costumes and props, references to Broadway musicals and enthusiastic audience participation as they skated through the convoluted plots.
The audience was up for the challenge however and happily split into opposing camps of Slytherins and Gryffinders for an energetic bout of Quidditch, cheered on Draco Malfoy and actually recognised Albus Dumbledore and Hermione Granger among the weird assortment of characters.
Whether you’re a Harry Potter tragic or simply Potter-curios, you’ll find it hard to resist this inspired lunacy guaranteed to tickle the fancy from tiny’s to Dumbledore’s (who are very old indeed).
Potted Potter: The Unauthorised Harry Experience – A Parody by Dan and Jeff
The Playhouse – Canberra Theatre Centre, London Circuit, Canberra
Performance: Tuesday 13 July 2021
Season continues to 18 July 2021
Bookings: www.canberratheatrecentre.com.au
Following the Canberra season, Potted Potter will play the Dunstan Playhouse – Adelaide Festival Centre (27 – 30 July); Playhouse – QPAC, Brisbane (3 – 8 August); and the Heath Ledger Theatre – State Theatre Centre of WA, Perth (12 – 15 August). For more information, visit: www.pottedpotter.com.au for details.
Image: Tama Jarman and Adam Brown star in Potted Potter (supplied)
Review: Bill Stephens OAM