Harry Potter fans, prepare yourselves to see an “untold story” revealed when a new show heads to the West End stage next year.
Author JK Rowling announced Harry Potter And The Cursed Child today on the 18th anniversary of her debut book Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone being first published in the UK.
JK Rowling (Stefan Rousseau/PA)
The play, a collaboration between Rowling, writer Jack Thorne and director John Tiffany, will open in summer 2016 at the Palace Theatre.
Tickets will go on sale in the autumn.
I'm also very excited to confirm today that a new play called Harry Potter and the #CursedChild will be opening in London next year.
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) June 26, 2015
Harry Potter And The Cursed Child, the first play about the teenage wizard, will explore “an untold part of Harry’s story” and is not a prequel.
It will tell a new story, which is the result of a collaboration between writer Jack Thorne, director John Tiffany and myself. #CursedChild
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) June 26, 2015
I don't want to say too much more, because I don't want to spoil what I know will be a real treat for fans. #CursedChild
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) June 26, 2015
However, I can say that it is not a prequel! #CursedChild
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) June 26, 2015
The movie cast of Harry Potter – Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint – and JK Rowling (Ian West/PA)
Explaining why Cursed Child is a play and not a new Potter novel, Rowling said: “I am confident that when audiences see the play they will agree that it was the only proper medium for the story.”
To answer one inevitable (and reasonable!) question – why isn't #CursedChild a new novel? – I am confident that when audiences see the play
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) June 26, 2015
they will agree that it was the only proper medium for the story. #CursedChild
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) June 26, 2015
I've had countless offers to extend Harry's story over the years, but Jack, John and Sonia Friedman are a dream team! #CursedChild
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) June 26, 2015
It has been a huge pleasure to share with them (and soon, with you!) this untold part of Harry's story. #CursedChild
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) June 26, 2015
Another treat coming for Potter fans is the film version of spin-off Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them, which will star Eddie Redmayne.
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