Harry Pottery & the Cursed Child at the National Theater

[Anonymous]

Has anyone gone to see this show recently? Did you feel it was worth it? I have heard that the special effects are the best part and I am wondering how that translates to a traveling show. My kids are big HP fans but on the younger side (early elementary).

[Anonymous]

We went with our early elementary kids and they loved it. You have to be up on the books to really enjoy it though I think which surprised me. There is a lot of reference to prior plot points, especially book 4.

[Anonymous]

I saw it in NYC but I would think carefully spending the money to take younger elementary kids. It's VERY wordy and since they combined two shows into one, things happen quickly and can be hard to follow. I definitely wouldn't go if they don't have a big understanding of HP and even then, I'd probably save it until they're older (the show recommends age 8 and up; I'd say 9 or 10.)

[Anonymous]

Is the unabridged production still being performed anywhere?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I saw it in NYC but I would think carefully spending the money to take younger elementary kids. It's VERY wordy and since they combined two shows into one, things happen quickly and can be hard to follow. I definitely wouldn't go if they don't have a big understanding of HP and even then, I'd probably save it until they're older (the show recommends age 8 and up; I'd say 9 or 10.)

I agree with this perspective and the one above. We saw it in DC a few weeks ago - I have 9yo twins; one is a big HP fan and the other one not as much. My not-HP fan was a little antsy and whiny at first because they had a hard time understanding and following the dialogue (accents and pace), but once the story picked up, they were into it (though they probably didn't get a lot of the book/story references). My HP fan LOVED it. The special effects were really cool. Overall, we enjoyed it but you'll want to seriously weigh your kids' interest and patience (it's about 3 hours including the intermission).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is the unabridged production still being performed anywhere?

Just in London's West End, I think.