SonyaWe’ve been waiting patiently for the return to a big live theatre production. There’s really nothing like the energy and the vibe of a filled theatre – especially a highly anticipated one like  Harry Potter and the Cursed Child ! And for fans young and old, as well as the muggles amongst us, it was well worth the wait! Whether you’ve devoured J.K. Rowling’s international bestselling  book series or just getting started, you’ll be drawn into Harry Potter’s mind-blowing wizarding world with this storyline based on the eighth book in the series.
We pick up 19 years after Harry Potter was a student himself at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, one of the finest in the world. Now, as an adult, and a father, he’s about to send off his own son to the famous boarding school. Along with school besties Ron and Hermoine and his wife Ginny, they embark on a new chapter in life. But Albus Potter isn’t quite like his father, considered the most famous Hogwarts student of all time and being sorted into the Slytherin house was our first big sign. Wild spells and a Time-Turning device changes Albus and Harry Potter’s world into a journey into the past unlike any other.
(l-r) Trevor White as Harry Potter and Luke Kimball as Albus Potter. Photo by Evan Zimmerman
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is an incredible production from start to finish and there are many twists to the story that I won’t give away! For true Potterheads, you’ll gasp at a few of the reveals! The 12 year old that sat next to us was at the edge of her seat the entire time. It’s dramatic and moving with the right amount of injected humour loaded with tons “how did they do that?!” moments. It’s magical in every way.
What was also mesmerizing to watch was the movement of all the performers seamlessly flowing through the scenes complete with moving cascading stairs and special effects. And then there’s the music! The instrumental score for this production by composer Imogen Heap sets the tone and now I have it on repeat (via Spotify).
For theatre lovers, there will be a few familiar faces in the cast including the incredibly talented Fiona Reid (Professor McGonagall), Sara Farb (Delphi Diggory), Trish Lindstrom (Ginny Potter) , Gregory Prest (Ron Weasley), Sarah Afful (Hermione Granger), and Steven Sutcliffe (Severus Snape) just to name a few on this impressive casting. Trevor White (Harry Potter) has a massive resume who’s been a well-loved actor in the U.K. Theatre scene. Harry Potter and the Cursed Child marks Trevor’s Toronto stage debut.
Luke Kimball (Albus Potter) and Thomas Mitchell Barnet (Scorpius Malfoy) are ones to watch. The dynamic between these two actors is natural and SO fun to see. Thomas has already performed on several theatre stages and television here in Toronto. Luke is a recent theatre school graduate with this being Mirvish debut. BTW, you may have spotted Luke on TV shows like Netflix’s Umbrella Academy and CBC’s Workin’ Moms.
(l-r) Brad Hodder as Draco Malfoy, Fiona Reid as Professor McGonagall, Trevor White as Harry Potter and Trish Lindstrom as Ginny Potter. Photo by Evan Zimmerman
Whether you’ve read the story, or not, the story line can be followed throughout the 3-hour and 20-minute production. Theatre goers can of course get up to speed or refresh their knowledge in advance through Google and the Harry Potter Fan App — a treasure chest just waiting to be discovered!
Here are a few amazing ways to enhance your Harry Potter experience before, during and after checking out this incredible stage production of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child…
The CAA Ed Mirvish Theatre: plan to arrive a bit earlier than curtain time to take in the transformation of this iconic theatre. From the Yonge Street entrance, there are a number of spots to take in a great photo/selfie along the hall and stairway that leads towards the theatre. There are many details to look out. Some are obvious and others require you to scan a QR code to access additional fun stuff like Instagram filters. BTW, you’re encouraged to wear your costumes!
Once you step inside the theatre itself, be prepared to enter a jaw-dropping space. Transformed for this production, it’s a beauty!
The Programme: take time to flip through the hand-out program to get a quick overview of Harry Potter’s timeline (it’s a keeper) or be sure to take it home with you as it holds the “keys” to additional content. There’s also an interesting piece on how early childhood experience can shape the adults we become that is very much worth the read.
Don’t blink! Lots happen during the play and it goes by surprisingly fast! Highly recommend that parents grab their kids a booster seat so they can take in everything. (FYI, the show is recommended for ages 8 and up)
Harry Potter Fan App: is FULL of insight and fun. Wonder what school you would be sorted to? Take the quiz. I’m Hufflepuff! You can also learn what magical wand would be yours. How big of a fan are you? There are many quizzes to find out. Did you pay attention to the story line of the stage production? You’d be surprised at how much you had retained even if you haven’t read the book(s).
Aside from the collectible t-shirts and hoodies, official Harry Potter SWEEEEEETS are also available. Chocolate frogs anyone?
(l-r) Sara Farb as Delphi Diggory, Thomas Mitchell Barnet as Scorpius Malfoy and Luke Kimball as Albus Potter. Photo by Evan Zimmerman
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is based on an original new story by J.K. Rowling, Jack Thorne and John Tiffany, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is a play by Jack Thorne, directed by John Tiffany. Now on stage at the CAA Ed Mirvish Theatre here in Toronto until December 24, 2022. For more information and tickets link here to the site www.mirvish.com
NOTE: Mirvish has announced the “Golden Snitch Ticket Lottery”. This is a great weekly chance to purchase tickets to Harry Potter and the Cursed Child at the CAA Ed Mirvish Theatre, in great seats for only $40. A limited number of Golden Snitch Tickets are available for each performance but you need to sign up at lottery.mirvish.com to enter.