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Harry Potter and the Cursed Child makes an 'electric' debut on Broadway

Manuel Harlan
Manuel Harlan

Pottermania erupted on Broadway as blockbuster play Harry Potter And The Cursed Child made its New York debut, making a “dream come true” for its British cast and writer.

The two-part play opened yesterday at the Lyric Theatre to rave reviews and an ecstatic audience that included Harry Potter author JK Rowling and actress Whoopi Goldberg, who arrived in costume wearing Hogwarts robes.

The seven lead roles are being played by the original West End cast, while the others are played by new US actors.

Paul Thornley, 43, who reprised his role as Ron Weasley, told the Standard: “It is a dream come true. I never thought for a million years that I’d be doing a play on Broadway.” He admitted that he missed playing cricket, and is planning to take up softball in New York.

Anthony Boyle, 23, who plays Scorpius Malfoy, said the auditorium felt “electric”, and that Rowling congratulated the cast in person afterwards.

He added: “I look at the New York skyline every day and I just feel like I’ve won a competition. I feel like the cat that got the cream.”

Jamie Parker, 38, who was on Broadway 12 years ago in The History Boys, said the audience were “proper bouncy”. He added: “They just thrive off it. There’s so much goodwill. You don’t have to convince them that they’ve done the right thing buying the ticket, they’re here, boom, ready to go.”

JK Rowling and husband Neil Murray attend the
JK Rowling and husband Neil Murray attend the

Noma Dumezweni, who plays Hermione, said she “never ever thought” she would be on Broadway. She added: “There are so many theatre spaces and ways of working in London, but there is something about being on Broadway.

“I remember growing up and watching all those movies … To get to be in a major play on Broadway and I’m in it, that’s quite huge.” She said audiences “applaud for everything” in New York. Writer Jack Thorne, 39, from north London, said: “I think it’s my favourite performance of this play and I’ve seen a lot of performances.

“To be here in this astonishing piece of road that’s defined so much of my favourite type of theatre is amazing.”

The play, which opened in the West End in July 2016, follows the last story in the Harry Potter series, and sees a grown-up Harry sending his son Albus to Hogwarts.