Having some solid advice from Kaitlin about reading the play ahead of time so I wasn’t lost during the show, I decided to finally read it a week before showtime. I’m glad I did because there was a lot of time travel and I think I would have been trying to figure out what I’m the world was going on during the show, but instead I could just enjoy seeing it in action.
First impression from the theater was that it was pretty cool, but after you’ve seen Platform 9 3/4 in London, it wasn’t quite as big of a hit. They repainted the ceiling and carpeted the hallway with “H” everywhere, buteverything was rebranded. Even the flags for the houses didn’t look anything like the movies.
The first act was fine, but I was frustrated with a few of the actors. Probably the most annoying was Scorpius, because he was much too whiny instead of just being a wimp like in the book. Also, I really didn’t like the casting for Harry because all he did was yell the whole time. I really can’t imagine that is what Harry Potter grew into. I did like the casting for Ron, Ginny and Draco. Also, I didn’t mind the boy who played Albus Severus. Hermione wasn’t great, but I liked her daughter Rose.
By far the best part of the show was the special effects. The way the sets came on and off with a cape spin was pretty amazing. All of the magic was incredible! The set in general was spectacular. They even had a real pool on stage! I don’t know which part was scarier:the dementors, the hand reaching out of the grave or Voldemort (pronounced Voldemore) walking up the orchestra aisle. I was never so happy to be tucked away in the back! One of the cooler things that happened was when they projected the new prophecy all over the theater!
Ultimately I’m glad I saw it because I would have always wondered. It just wasn’t the same as the original al series. You don’t feel the same attachment to Harry Potter’s kid as you did to him. It was worth it to go just for the special effects - people flying and spinning, fire being thrown, people using poly juice and becoming someone else, the time travel projections, and the list goes on!
