Cast
Harry – Jamie Parker
Ginny – Poppy Miller
Ron – Paul Thornley
Hermonie – Noma Dumezweni
Draco – Alex Price
Albus – Sam Clemment
Scorpius – Anthony Boyle
Venue – Palace Theatre, London
Date: Wednesday 5th October 2016 (7:30pm)
NO SPOILERS – #KeepTheSecrets
At least to see the second part I only had to wait a couple of hours as it really does leave you wanting to know more and find out what exactly is going to happen next. Not that you would be able to work much of it out as the tone of the play becomes a lot darker and takes even more twists as it flies through the final 2 hours and 35 minutes (including 20 minute interval).
The same goes for this part though in keeping the secrets and therefore not really able to reveal anything, so I have decided to comment a little bit on the characters that everyone knows about and the performances I had the pleasure of watching in the 4 hours and 40 minutes of acting! Yes really that much from both parts.
When you look at the programme and you see Jamie Parker you will not believe the turnaround to see him on stage as Harry, he looks incredible and has the character so spot on, with the temper and everything. Honestly he really does blow you away as the 40 year old Harry Potter. Just as impressive in the role of his son Albus is Sam Clemment, I am sure they really push and bring out the best performances in each other with how closely they have to work together. Incredible from the young actor especially his scenes with Anthony Boyle, they really look like they are having a great time on stage. I mean who shouldn’t be considering the magic is well and truly alive.
I do like that we get to see another side of Draco Malfoy as well, showing that people really can change and that he just was misunderstood. I don’t feel we get enough of Ron and he is just used for some silly moments of comic relief which at times don’t really fit in with the tone of the rest of the scenes.
Overall though it truly is a fantastic theater experience, seeing things on the stage that you never really thought it would be possible to see. The production costs must be massive to bring it all to life and I have to admit that the ticket prices (as long as you buy direct from the theatre) are certainly reasonable enough for a West End show. I managed to get row D seat 25 which had a great view, second price range of 65 each. I know some people will still be thinking that is extreme, but if you look at the price ranges of other shows then you will see they probably could have charged even more for this play.
At the end of the day the success of this play and the enjoyment felt from the audience certainly show that the world will always want something new from the Harry Potter franchise, even if it is just to head back to Hogwarts one more time!