Anyone who says J.K. Rowling is flogging a dead Thestral can bugger off now, because she’s announced that due to the epic nature of the story, the Harry Potter play will now be in two parts, and this is nothing short of FANTASTIC.
She – naturally – tweeted the Harry Potter and the Cursed Child news:
*Clears throat loudly and bangs teaspoon on mug of tea* I have #CursedChild news!
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) September 24, 2015
Due to the epic nature of the story we’ve been working on, Harry Potter & the #CursedChild will be in two parts! @HPPlayLDN
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) September 24, 2015
Pottermore simultaneously released an interview with the play’s director John Tiffany and writer Jack Thorne to explain in a little more details than 140 characters.
“I’ve never worked on anything quite like this before,” said Tiffany – who, BTW, has won both Tony and Olivier Awards. “Usually in theatre you’re adapting existing or creating an entirely new play. With the Cursed Child we have been given the unique opportunity to explore some of the most cherished books and beloved characters ever written, yet work with J.K. Rowling to tell a story from that world that no one yet knows – it’s exhilarating.”
“It shares a scale and ambition with all the Harry Potter stories so in order to do this justice we have decided to present the play in two parts.”
Aside from the fact that Tiffany has CLEARLY forgotten that his “unique opportunity to explore some of the most cherished books and beloved characters ever written” is also shared with the authors of literally millions of Harry Potter fanfics, it’s legit adorable that Tiffany, Thorne, and probably the entire crew are massive HP fans.
“Obviously I loved it when we decided to tell this story in two parts,” said Thorne, “because I got to spend more time with the characters and what an honour that has been.”
“It continues to be unbelievable and amazing that I’ve been given this extraordinary chance to bring Harry Potter to the stage. As a fan, who just devoured the books and the films, this couldn’t be more exciting for me.”
“I just hope we do it justice. I’m so constantly aware of respecting the previous seven stories… I hope people love this play like they loved the books. Everything we do is with that in mind.”
“There are many people working on this production who grew up with the books, or discovered them with their kids, and it’s bene thrilling and humbling to hear them say ‘We never thought we’d get Harry Back. But he’s here…”
DOES THAT MEAN HARRY POTTER IS IN THIS PLAY? DOES IT? IS THIS A SEQUEL OR A PREQUEL OR WHAT?
@jk_rowling is it a prequel? ??
— ✨Charlotte✨ (@mookpixie) September 24, 2015
*Quietly adds hemlock to dregs of tea* https://t.co/LYK5Sg58Sh
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) September 24, 2015
All will be revealed when HP and the Cursed Child hits the West End in 2016.
It’s not clear yet if this means the second half will be released years later, or if it’ll run over two nights, or what, but just go right ahead and mug whoever you need for your ticket to London anyway.
Images: Warner Bros.
via Pottermore.
