Harry Potter and the Cursed Child

On February 1st, after a looooong wait, I finally got to go see Harry Potter and the Cursed Child in London. I think we booked the tickets almost 2 years ago and chose to book them for my Birthday so that I didn't forget - not that I could ever forget! 

Admittedly, I did not try to avoid spoilers. I read the screenplay the minute it was released so I knew what was coming. But as I read it around 6 months before I went to the play, the full plot wasn't fresh in my mind. From what I remembered I didn't love the plot so I wasn't overly excited to see it. I was SO worried that it would be disappointing and ruin the Harry Potter series for me. I love the books so much, why not leave it as it is? Why ruin it by making further plots just to make some extra cash?

I couldn't have been more wrong. 

The play is split into Part 1 and Part 2. As I decided to go see both parts the same day this meant I ended up spending around 5 hours in the theatre so it was a pretty long day. The price was around £30 per ticket so I was in the cheap seats at the back (as always). Whenever I go to the theatre I always buy cheap seats because, well, they're cheap, and every time I regret it because the view is rubbish. Even though I did see nearly everything I did have to sit at a funny angle the whole time because of Mr Big Head in front of me this didn't really ruin it for me; what else can be expected paying only £30? Just be thankful that there's an interval!

For those who don't know the play basically starts where the books left off; with the trio at Platform 9  and 3/4 waving off their children to Hogwarts. It was so surreal seeing grown up Harry, Ron, and Hermione, AND to see them played by somebody other than Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, and Emma Watson; in my head they'll always be those 11 year old kids! But after I got my head around the new faces I couldn't fault the acting. The cast were just perfect and got the characters spot on!

THE EFFECTS, this is something we need to discuss! Honestly, it was pure magic. There were things that I wouldn't have even thought possible on stage and if this was on screen it would have been CGI for sure. Going into this I didn't even consider what sort of special effects they could or would use so coming out I was blown away. It was quite special seeing the magic truly happening on stage.

The Plot - Spoiler Alerts!

I have been debating whether or not to stick a plot review here, especially as they do hand out #keepthesecrets badges after you've seen it. However, the screenplay is printed ready for you to buy in shops so it isn't really much of a secret any more. If you don't want to know - look away now!

We start off at the train platform where Albus Severus is heading to Hogwarts for the first time; he's worried about what house he'll get sorted into. Low and behold he's sorted into.... Slytherin! And who does he befriend? None other than Draco Malfoy's son Scorpius. Albus is an outcast. He's a Potter in Slytherin and his magic skills are sub-par. So, when Amos Diggory seeks out Harry asking him to go back in time and save Cedric, Albus decides to take on the task himself. As you can imagine things go a little (or very) wrong!

Albus and Scorpius manage to get involved with the daughter of Bellatrix and Voldemort (we're all very happy that this is finally canon) and they get stuck back in time; the day that Harry was born to be exact. Quick wit and smart thinking gets a message to the Golden trio and, obviously, all is well in the end!

I don't think the plot is great but the effects, acting, and show as a whole is incredible. If you've been to see it; let me know what you thought!