What is likely to be a divisive move to Harry Potter fans in Australia, the Australian Production of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child has moved away from the original 2-part 4-act epic that is still being performed on London’s West End, and has transitioned over to the faster paced 1-part 2-act version. This reimagined version has since gone live in Melbourne following a short break, with producers Sonia Friedman and Colin Callender sharing the following statement about the re-opening:
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is the eighth story in the Harry Potter canon and the first Harry Potter story to be presented on stage. It features a new original story by J.K Rowling, Jack Thorne and John Tiffany. The production features movement by Steven Hoggett, set by Christine Jones, costumes by Katrina Lindsay, music & arrangements by Imogen Heap, lighting by Neil Austin, sound by Gareth Fry, illusions & magic by Jamie Harrison and music supervision & arrangements by Martin Lowe. International Casting Consultant is Jim Carnahan (CSA) and Australian casting by Janine Snape (CGA). Executive Producer of the Australian production is Michael Cassel.
The inaugural Australian reimagined cast of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child includes Gareth Reeves as Harry Potter, Paula Arundell as Hermione Granger, Michael Whalley as Ron Weasley, Lucy Goleby as Ginny Potter, Ben Walter as Albus Potter, Nyx Calder as Scorpius Malfoy, Aisha Aidara as Rose Granger-Weasley/Young Hermione, Jessica Vickers as Delphi Diggory, and Lachlan Woods as Draco Malfoy.
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child remains a fixture at Melbourne’s Princess Theatre, with no indication towards it ever touring to any other Australian state in the future. Information on how to book tickets can be found via the show’s official website.