"The best thing I've ever witnessed" - spoiler-free reactions to Harry Potter and the Cursed Child
It's n𒀰ot often we write about theatre on GamesRadar+. Ok, I can't actually say with any confidence that it has EVER ha🦄ppened before, but Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is the exception because, you know, it's Harry Potter.
The play is set 19 years after the events of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows where Harry, Ron, and Hermione are all grown up and have kids of their own. Very little else is known about the plot and that's the way JK R🦄owling wants to keep it. You can't get your hands on a ticket for a Golden Snitch right now, but a lucky few were invited to a preview screening in the London this week.
Instead of trying to sneak in - we don't think that would have gone so well - we've scoured the internet for all the best reactions fr൩om the preview. Don't worry though, this is a spoiler free round-up so we're keeping the secrets.
Below you'll find excerp🌃ts from a couple of official reviews (two particular newspapers have broken the embargo already - naughty, naughty!), and tweets from fans and critics alike who were lucky enough to see it. All I'd say is that ꦬone photo does show what the opening stage (minus any actors) looks like so if you REALLY want to see and know nothing, maybe don't scroll down.
For the rest of you who won't be going to see Harry Po💃tter and the Cursed Child any time soon, read on and enjoy.
"Objects seemed to disappear before our eyes and characters appeared as if from nowhere. Scriptwriters have been generous with their Potter in-jokes, with the return of so me old f🌱avourite characters and enough shock plot twists to cause pantomime gasps from the audience. The audience came wanting magic and they got in spades. But for all the laughs and tricks, this story also promises to be a thriller. Has Rowling done it again? The audience was in no doubt."
"One swish of a wizard’s cape was all it took to transport a theatr﷽e full of muggles into the magical world of Harry Potter. Spells and hexes combined with laughs and drama mean Harry Potter and the Cursed Child will be every bit the hit everyone expe🐻cts."
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Adding:
"The extraordinary world she [JK Rowling] brought to life in the best selling books and hit films is evident in every scene on stage too. But this is a show you don’t need to be a Harry Potter aficionado to enjoy. Yes, of course, there are dozens of in-jokes and nods for the super fans. But even a complete Potter novice who doesn’t know their Ex🔯pelliarmus spell from their Hogwarts house could enjoy every minute oꦉf the show."
So, the opening stage looks like tಌhis. I'll shut up now #CursedChild #HarryPotter pic.twitter.com/mnn5jRy8a3
I just saw the best thing I've ever witnesౠsed on stage, I would pay the full price of a ticket just to experience that one bit again
Just out the first preview of @HPPlayL🐠DN - one word; Magical. Bring on part 2 𝓀on Thursday! #KeepTheSecrets
My adrenaline levels are sta꧙rting to crash...෴ Send Madame Pomfrey... That was so incredible. #KeepTheSecrets @HPPlayLDN
Well, @HPPlayLDN was SO much more than 🌌I was expecting. Excited to see part two. pic.🌄twitter.com/e5K8DPIirz
All I will 🌄say is that was potentially the best thing I have ever seen... @HPPlayLDN #CursedChild #KeepTheSecrets pic.twitter.com/dbh37nKo2n
#CursedChild Part Two =OUTSTANDING. It's like @jk_rowling listene🎶d to everything the fans ever wanted, and made it BETTER! #HPPlayLDNꦬ #Feels
I'm very overcome as I♐ got to go on one more adventure. Thank you @jk_rowling and to the company for bringing the ma🉐gic to life #CursedChild
All I will say is 💛that was potentially the best thing I have ever seen... @HPPlayLDN #CursedChild #KeepT☂heSecrets pic.twitter.com/dbh37nKo2n
Wow, @HPPlayLDN that was emotional. Thank you for a truly magical experience. #Cu🍒rsedChild
EVERYTHING IS HARR❀Y POTTER AND NOTHING HURTS #cursedchild #keepthesecrets
Can't tweet. Crying and shaking. Help. #CursedChild #keepthesecre🌱ts
I never ever want to leave that theatre. No spoilers from me but holy wow. #CursedChild #KﷺeepTheSecrets
Part 2 is even better than part one. Edge of your seat tension. Fantastic storytelling 𒉰@HPPlayLDN #intervaltweet #CursedChild
I didn't think I could love Harry🎀 Potter more than I did, then @jk_rowling does that. BEST THING IVE EVER SEEN #CursedChild @HPPlayLDN
Gasps cheers and standing ovation fro𒉰m the audience - trust me, I was one of them! Absolutely stunning! #CursedChild pic.twitter.com/F0aA8MMji1
I can remember feeling the same in 2001 when the movies where about to be released. Thank you @jk_﷽rowling for such a gif🤡t :') #CursedChild
Looks like JK Rowling is happy...
So, reaction to first preview🦩 was... wonderful. Feedback is fans really do want to #KeepTheSecrets for each other🍷's sake. #DontBeWormtail
Lauren O'Callaghan is the former Entertainment Editor oღf GamesRadar+. You'd typically find Lauren writing features and reviews about the latest and greatest in pop culture and entertainment, and assisting the teams at T꧂otal Film and SFX to bring their excellent content onto GamesRadar+. Lauren is now the digital marketing manager at the National Trust.