Play Review: Harry Potter and the Cursed Child

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child written by J. K. Rowling, Jack Thorne, and John Tiffany

The highlight of our New York City spring break trip (posts coming soon!) was seeing Harry Potter and the Cursed Child at the Lyric Theater just off Times Square in Manhattan. 

The story follows Harry's son Albus Severus Potter when he goes to Hogwarts. He has a hard time fitting in as the son of The Boy Who Lived, especially when the Sorting Hat puts him in Slytherin. Also in Slytherin is Scorpius Malfoy, son of Harry's nemesis Draco Malfoy. Scorpius is a bit spastic and also very unpopular, especially with the rumors circulating that he's really the son of Lord Voldemort, not Draco's child. Scorpius and Albus form an awkward friendship that disturbs both their fathers. The boys are not very distinguished at Hogwarts academically either. 

If that was not enough trouble for Harry, he's also being pestered by Cedric Diggory's father, who wants Harry to do something about the death of Cedric, especially since rumors abound of an illegal Time-Turner seized by the Ministry of Magic, where Harry works. Mr. Diggory is being assisted by his niece Delphi.

Al overhears the conversation with the Diggorys and decides to steal the rumored Time-Turner from the Ministry of Magic with the help of Scorpius. They plan to go back to the Tri-Wizard Tournament where Cedric died and try to save him. Delphi also helps in this scheme. But will it really work out?

The story quickly shifts away from life at Hogwarts (which is a miserable experience for Albus and Scorpius) to a plot more focused on parents and children. Harry has an argument with Albus that leaves a big rift in their relationship. Scorpius has a hard time relating to his father Draco, who is absolutely certain Scorpius is his son and bristles under the rumors. Old man Diggory pining for his son is touchingly portrayed. Sorting out these difficult relationships is the main driver of the plot. It's interesting and thoughtful and something of a departure for Harry Potter stories.

Even though the show has a lot of human drama, the production does not stint on action and amazing stage effects. At one point, Ginny leaves Harry and Draco alone for five minutes and they quickly devolved into a magic fight which is well-staged with the actors flying through the air (see the picture below). Plenty of other magic happens, my favorite being a hostile bookshelf that makes trouble for Al, Scorpius, and Delphi.  

The show does involve time travel, which is dangerous territory for me, because I am often unsatisfied with how a lot of creators handle it. Among the stories with time travel that I don't like is Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban! The authors did a much better job here, I really enjoyed the show and thought the time travel was handled well. I am quite glad I saw the show!

Recommended, highly for Potter fans.

And yes, our timing was lucky enough that we saw Tom Felton portraying Draco Malfoy--he's the actor who played young Draco in the film series! His line delivery was spot on with his earlier portrayal.

Also, I reviewed the book version of the play a while back, read it here if you want.

Lyric Theatre Marquee

Poster of Draco zapping Harry

View from our seats at the beginning

Intermission curtain

Butterbeer in bottles!

Free Chocolate Frog with every purchase!