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Post by CBP1 on Aug 3, 2016 12:03:49 GMT
I also didn't particularly like the Hagrid scenes. I can see why they were there. I think it was the actor more than anything else. I felt he was trying to do an impression rather than trying to find his own Hagrid. It just didn't quite sit right.
I actually wonder whether the bit with baby Harry would have worked better if it had been silent. You'd still get the effect of seeing that scene but without fully breaking the mood as Nelly was talking about.
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Post by andrew on Aug 3, 2016 12:47:20 GMT
I actually wonder whether the bit with baby Harry would have worked better if it had been silent. You'd still get the effect of seeing that scene but without fully breaking the mood as Nelly was talking about. I absolutely agree, silence would've been better. Although I can't imagine Hagrid would actually have been silent... |
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Post by josophia on Aug 3, 2016 13:08:19 GMT
So, Im not too sure if this has been asked and Im sorry if it has but I finally read the script for this play and the thing that I wasnt sure about was that Delphi snaps Albus' wand before using the time turer but he has it during the battle with Harry. How?
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Post by stuart on Aug 3, 2016 17:41:41 GMT
The surprise when also in the foyer/lobby was also brilliant!!!! It will run forever!! Can you elaborate on this?! |
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Post by westendwendy on Aug 3, 2016 20:25:15 GMT
Can you elaborate on this?! When you leave the foyer after part one it is physically different due the plot. Come on people we know why!!! |
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Post by Deleted on Aug 3, 2016 23:19:59 GMT
I didn't notice that! Must be blind as the proverbial bat... How was it different?
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Post by grocker on Aug 4, 2016 14:07:19 GMT
Hi all,
Just read through the thread to see the progression between previews to the official opening.
I'm halfway through reading the rehearsal script for the Cursed Child and was wondering if anyone can share any differences they've seen between:
a) The early June previews vs. the late July previews
b) The June previews and the script
c) The July previews and the script
d) The official opening and the script
I went to the 27th of July preview and noticed quite a few scenes were cut once I started to read the script so I'm curious to see what everyone else can remember in the scenarios mentioned above. I love these kinds of details so any input would be appreciated!
As an example of scenario c), a few differences between the script and the July preview I saw include no Bane and no Myrtle on stage. I think they were briefly mentioned by Harry to progress the plot but unless my memory has failed me I don't recall seeing those two characters on stage. And I also don't recall Harry and Draco duelling in the kitchen. There's plenty more but those are from off the top of my head.
Thanks!!
Also, I'm waiting in the online queue again for the May 2017 to Dec 2017 ticket release just so I can see it again and see if there are any more changes. Anyone else also waiting/got tickets? I'm really far behind in the queue (like approx 125,000 people behind, so I shall see if I even get the chance) since I fell asleep from recovering from jetlag and the first day back at work.
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Post by moony93 on Aug 4, 2016 14:16:50 GMT
Hi all, Just read through the thread to see the progression between previews to the official opening. I'm halfway through reading the rehearsal script for the Cursed Child and was wondering if anyone can share any differences they've seen between: a) The early June previews vs. the late July previews b) The June previews and the script c) The July previews and the script d) The official opening and the script I went to the 27th of July preview and noticed quite a few scenes were cut once I started to read the script so I'm curious to see what everyone else can remember in the scenarios mentioned above. I love these kinds of details so any input would be appreciated! As an example of scenario c), a few differences between the script and the July preview I saw include no Bane and no Myrtle on stage. I think they were briefly mentioned by Harry to progress the plot but unless my memory has failed me I don't recall seeing those two characters on stage. And I also don't recall Harry and Draco duelling in the kitchen. There's plenty more but those are from off the top of my head. Thanks!! Also, I'm waiting in the online queue again for the May 2017 to Dec 2017 ticket release just so I can see it again and see if there are any more changes. Anyone else also waiting/got tickets? I'm really far behind in the queue (like approx 125,000 people behind, so I shall see if I even get the chance) since I fell asleep from recovering from jetlag and the first day back at work. I saw it end of June and again beginning of July, still haven't got round to finishing the script yet but have they really cut Myrtle and Bane from the play? I didn't mind either of those parts, I think whoever played Myrtle as well was really good! I hated the duelling in the kitchen scene so I'm glad that's gone. Is the hogwarts express scene still in with the 'anything from the trolley' lady? I got down to like 2000 in the ATG queue before it sold out, now i'm 65000 in the Nimax queue, can't see me getting more tickets tbh hah |
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Post by grocker on Aug 4, 2016 14:23:42 GMT
Hi all, Just read through the thread to see the progression between previews to the official opening. I'm halfway through reading the rehearsal script for the Cursed Child and was wondering if anyone can share any differences they've seen between: a) The early June previews vs. the late July previews b) The June previews and the script c) The July previews and the script d) The official opening and the script I went to the 27th of July preview and noticed quite a few scenes were cut once I started to read the script so I'm curious to see what everyone else can remember in the scenarios mentioned above. I love these kinds of details so any input would be appreciated! As an example of scenario c), a few differences between the script and the July preview I saw include no Bane and no Myrtle on stage. I think they were briefly mentioned by Harry to progress the plot but unless my memory has failed me I don't recall seeing those two characters on stage. And I also don't recall Harry and Draco duelling in the kitchen. There's plenty more but those are from off the top of my head. Thanks!! Also, I'm waiting in the online queue again for the May 2017 to Dec 2017 ticket release just so I can see it again and see if there are any more changes. Anyone else also waiting/got tickets? I'm really far behind in the queue (like approx 125,000 people behind, so I shall see if I even get the chance) since I fell asleep from recovering from jetlag and the first day back at work. I saw it end of June and again beginning of July, still haven't got round to finishing the script yet but have they really cut Myrtle and Bane from the play? I didn't mind either of those parts, I think whoever played Myrtle as well was really good! I hated the duelling in the kitchen scene so I'm glad that's gone. Is the hogwarts express scene still in with the 'anything from the trolley' lady? I got down to like 2000 in the ATG queue before it sold out, now i'm 65000 in the Nimax queue, can't see me getting more tickets tbh hah Yeah, unfortunately from the preview I saw, there was no Myrtle, which was a shame since she's one of my fave minor characters and from what you and others have said, the actress sounded great as well. Edited to add: Although, I'm starting to doubt my memory regarding Myrtle because I took of photo of the cast list in the foyer on the day I went and it mentions: 'Annabel Baldwin - roles include Moaning Myrtle.' Perhaps someone else who went to the same preview or close to it can clarify? So much happened that day that it does begin to blur. I would've appreciated seeing Bane just to see if he translated well on stage, but I can see why his scenes were cut - interesting element to add, but for cutting down time I can see why his scenes were part of the ones to go. The Hogwarts Express Trolley Lady scene is still in there. At least you have a better chance in the Nimax queue than I do! I'm 124,000 now. |
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Post by Deleted on Aug 4, 2016 14:44:53 GMT
My trip was early July, so I saw both characters.
Surprised to hear they lost Bane - though I assumed he was mainly there for the mums ;-)
I thought the actress playing Myrtle was great. I always found the character a pain in the books and films, but she was hilarious on stage.
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Post by daniel on Aug 4, 2016 14:54:27 GMT
I went on the 20th and Bane and Myrtle were definitely in. Friend of mine went on the 27th and I'm sure she spoke about Bane and Myrtle.
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Post by alison on Aug 4, 2016 14:58:44 GMT
I saw it end of June and again beginning of July, still haven't got round to finishing the script yet but have they really cut Myrtle and Bane from the play? I didn't mind either of those parts, I think whoever played Myrtle as well was really good! I hated the duelling in the kitchen scene so I'm glad that's gone. Is the hogwarts express scene still in with the 'anything from the trolley' lady? I got down to like 2000 in the ATG queue before it sold out, now i'm 65000 in the Nimax queue, can't see me getting more tickets tbh hah I saw it last Thursday/Friday and both Bane and Myrtle were there, as was the kitchen duel. Tbh, the script reads *very* similarly to what I saw last week, just a few word changes here and there. |
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Post by grocker on Aug 4, 2016 15:19:49 GMT
I see. Perhaps Bane and the kitchen duel weren't as memorable for me. I wish my past-self could write down what I saw that night when it was fresh. If only I had a Time-Turner ;P
Edited to add: Oh. My. God. I finally realised why I thought scenes were missing. It's because I missed them entirely! During Part One, my boyfriend and I left at the end of Part One, Act I without realising it was just the interval! Oh. My. Goodness. This is horrible. I recall thinking it was a weird way to end Part One, because as it turns out, it wasn't bloody finished!! And it also explains a lot. Whelp. I definitely need go back watch it all properly. What a terrible mistake. Definitely need a Time-Turner now. ARGHHHHHHH.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 4, 2016 16:14:26 GMT
Saw it thurs/fri of last week and myrtle is in it. I recognise the name bane but who are they?
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Post by Nelly on Aug 4, 2016 16:28:59 GMT
Edited to add: Oh. My. God. I finally realised why I thought scenes were missing. It's because I missed them entirely! During Part One, my boyfriend and I left at the end of Part One, Act I without realising it was just the interval! Oh. My. Goodness. This is horrible. I recall thinking it was a weird way to end Part One, because as it turns out, it wasn't bloody finished!! And it also explains a lot. Whelp. I definitely need go back watch it all properly. What a terrible mistake. Definitely need a Time-Turner now. ARGHHHHHHH. Whaaaa! How? Didn't you wonder why no one really left? And why act two had an interval? And how the plot had progressed without explaining anything? I feel sorry for you but not sure how it's only just clicked! |
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Post by grocker on Aug 4, 2016 16:49:31 GMT
Edited to add: Oh. My. God. I finally realised why I thought scenes were missing. It's because I missed them entirely! During Part One, my boyfriend and I left at the end of Part One, Act I without realising it was just the interval! Oh. My. Goodness. This is horrible. I recall thinking it was a weird way to end Part One, because as it turns out, it wasn't bloody finished!! And it also explains a lot. Whelp. I definitely need go back watch it all properly. What a terrible mistake. Definitely need a Time-Turner now. ARGHHHHHHH. Whaaaa! How? Didn't you wonder why no one really left? And why act two had an interval? And how the plot had progressed without explaining anything? I feel sorry for you but not sure how it's only just clicked! Yes. I feel horrible that I only had this terrible realisation an hour ago. We saw people leaving and just assumed it was the end of Part One. We felt it was an odd ending but left the theatre regardless. Then that evening when Part Two began, we felt odd that the start was straight into the Alternate Universe with Scorpius and Umbridge. We flew into London the night before so perhaps the lack of parts clicking together can be attributed to jetlag. Just can't believe it, really. It's just a shame that the next time I see it, some of the cast will have changed, and I'll never have that proper first time full experience. That's the most gut-wrenching part. However, even given that we missed Part One Act II, even though I was unsure of a few bits that characters were referring to, the overall plot was easy enough to follow. |
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Post by Latecomer on Aug 4, 2016 17:08:13 GMT
Have to agree with theatremonkey.....I feel awful for you grocker.....  |
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Post by Nelly on Aug 4, 2016 17:12:10 GMT
Whaaaa! How? Didn't you wonder why no one really left? And why act two had an interval? And how the plot had progressed without explaining anything? I feel sorry for you but not sure how it's only just clicked! Yes. I feel horrible that I only had this terrible realisation an hour ago. We saw people leaving and just assumed it was the end of Part One. We felt it was an odd ending but left the theatre regardless. Then that evening when Part Two began, we felt odd that the start was straight into the Alternate Universe with Scorpius and Umbridge. We flew into London the night before so perhaps the lack of parts clicking together can be attributed to jetlag. Just can't believe it, really. It's just a shame that the next time I see it, some of the cast will have changed, and I'll never have that proper first time full experience. That's the most gut-wrenching part. However, even given that we missed Part One Act II, even though I was unsure of a few bits that characters were referring to, the overall plot was easy enough to follow. Gosh, so sorry for you. |
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Post by Deleted on Aug 4, 2016 17:25:13 GMT
It's quite funny in a 'God, do u remember the time...' way!
My brother always tells his kids it's the end at the interval
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Post by David J on Aug 4, 2016 22:24:53 GMT
Okay it's been a week since I've seen this, and here's my initial thoughts I don't see myself as a fan. I read the books from number 4, listened to the audiobooks again and again, and had watched all the films in the cinemas. But after I saw the last one was the moment I moved on. I still regard Harry Potter as a treasured book series and nothing more. I wasn't even keen to buy such expensive tickets for this until the cast was announced Last Thursday and Friday are two night's I'm not going to forget in a hurry. They were awesome. Both this and Mary Poppins are both the best play and musical to have endless special effects That said this is definitely pure, manipulative fan fiction. And I confess that I go caught up in it all, gasping, clapping, and laughing at the right moments. It was like going down memory lane at times. I just wished that the plays were an opportunity to introduce more new characters and go to places we've haven't seen before, rather than reliving some of the best moments from the Harry Potter series. Jamie Parker did not disappoint as Harry. He was very convincing with the material he had (which I'll get to), but he really shone in Part 2 when you realise that Harry had repressed all he had gone through until he breaks apart and realizes that all he needed to do was share it in order to connect with his troubled son. The female roles had the least to do in comparison to the men, and the whole Delphi being Voldemort's daughter was definitely rushed. Just a few more questions/points - So when it began to dawn that Delphi was with the Dark Side, when Albus gives her the time turner and she turns around to growing gasps from the audience what exactly was the tattoo on her back? I assume that's what they were reacting but being so far away I couldn't tell. I thought the Dark Mark could only be on your arm.
- What was the whole thing about getting Delphi to step into the light, and Harry/Voldermort was repulsed by said light. Surely we're not saying Voldermort and Delphi are vampires?
- I didn't realise you can transform into another person? I mean yeah McGonagall could transform into a cat, but Harry turning into Voldermort? And it made me think that was a lot of moments in the Harry Potter series where that could have come useful. Just like the time turner/time travel plot hole people like to bring up
- Is it me or was Ron a combination of himself and George Weasley (who doesn't appear along with the other Potter/Weasley children/cousins). Apart from the driving test comment from the epilogue, I never saw Ron as jocular as he is in the play. Maybe its a growing up thing.
- This may be a bit pedantic but I love the thought that Voldermort decided to take the scenic route through the church on his way to killing Harry's parents. Shame he was a couple of years too early to try the farmer's market.
Big question though. Although there was a lot to adult Harry that I like, I was unconvinced by the way Harry and Albus' conflict went on for so long. Of course we may not have had a story then. Thing is, Harry gets so many hints that his son is turning away from him and something bad because of that. Even he can see that he is contributing to Albus' isolation. So he should have the sense to do something about it and try and relate to him
Then I thought it made sense by the second act when it becomes clear how repressed Harry has become that he is uneasy sharing his past that would help him realise that he and his son have things in common.
Am I right in thinking this. I mean I am not old enough or have enough experience to know
All I'm saying is that by the time Harry got to the point of threatening McGonagall to spy on his son, I felt like shouting "Dude, just take him out to get an ice cream, sit down and bloody talk. Not give him a 'lucky' blanket"
I think the main problem is that character development is barely there for me to relate to this. The story only really gets started 22 years after the books (including Albus and Scorpius' three school years that fly by). What story development there is consists of "this means Albus is this...this means Harry is that...there's a missing time turner...Voldemort may have had a child". Nothing but short bits of exposition. None of Harry's repression was going to come through until we either guess/assume it or spoon-fed it. I would also have like to have seen Harry's reaction when he heard Albus was put into Slytherin.
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Post by David J on Aug 5, 2016 6:18:00 GMT
My apologies, I didn't mention this after typing so much late at night
I am aware that there is a lot that Rowling couldn't develop over time. These are two plays, not a seven book series
Of course we have to be told stuff through exposition so that we can get we can get to the meat of the story. I had to keep telling myself that, and yeah I'm thinking too much into some of this
But still there were a few things I struggled to buy. I knew Harry was going to be different grown up, but the conflict that went on and on annoyed me a bit
Anyway thanks for the explanations.
Yes I am aware of the polyjuice potion, though transforming into someone would cut out the trouble of getting someone's hair. I can't remember whether it was alluded to in the books. Sounds like something that's very advanced that Harry would have learnt in his 'extended' final year, though I'd would be surprised that Hermione didn't learn it herself to use in the final book
Was it really the plays logo on Delphis back. Did anyone sitting closer get a good look at it
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Post by alison on Aug 5, 2016 7:58:46 GMT
Was it really the plays logo on Delphis back. Did anyone sitting closer get a good look at it It was the wings from the logo, yes. They represent exactly what Delphi describes in that scene - an augurey (a magical bird that cries when rain is coming, but used to be believed to foretell death). They're described in the Fantastic Beasts book that was released years ago for charity, but Delphi's description gives everything you need to know. I think the gasps were partly caused by the reveal of her tattoo, and partly by her demeanor change as she takes the time turner. |
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Post by Deleted on Aug 5, 2016 8:24:15 GMT
I wouldn't say you're overthinking it, David J. I thought a lot of the same things as I was watching it!
Hmm, where to start...
Well, I've recently started re-reading the books. I'm three quarters of the way through book 2 and the 3 kids have used polyjuice potion to get into the Slytherin common room to try to wheedle something out of Draco. As you suspected, it was good old Hermione who put the potion together! And yes, the boys had to get some of Crabbe and Goyle's hair to add to the potion for the juice to work. Hermione was less lucky, but that's another story... ;-)
Voldemort tramping through the church set made me giggle, too. It had to be that way to work on the stage, of course, but it was mildly amusing.
As far as Harry's character development goes... I really liked Jamie Parker's portrayal. There is so much about Harry in this play that makes him potentially a really unlikeable character, so his underlying vulnerability has to be constantly in play if you're not to lose the audience's sympathy. I think he nailed that. It seemed clear to me that a lot of what Harry does comes from a place of fear, and an inability to connect with a particular child.
Possibly it helps that I know a guy who had a very fractious relationship with what, to him, seemed a very authoritarian father. As someone entirely outside that relationship looking in, it seemed to me that some of what seemed to my friend like 'dad being an overbearing and unpleasant git' was actually dad trying to protect his son, but not wanting to admit to the emotion behind that and so just coming across as 'You'll do as I say, and so will everyone else.' Which is that McGonagall scene to a tee.
Sadly, my friend's dad died when he was still young, so there was no opportunity to mend that relationship. We lost touch, but I do wonder how he feels now he's a dad himself - whether he recognises the same impulses in himself to protect his child, or whether like Harry he feels he has no role model to draw on, because even as a child he so utterly rejected his dad. I hope it has led to some emotional healing, though.
My reading is that the conversation with Dumbledore - where he clearly voices the damage that the protective instinct can do - allows Harry to come to terms somewhat with thoughts he's perhaps never been able to confront Dumbledore with before, and in turn he then recognises the very same damage he's doing to young Albus.
Maybe it is a thing you have to be older to understand? (Not being condescending, just picking up on your point and genuinely wondering what others think.) I'm 40 and while not a parent myself, I have a niece and have watched friends become parents. When you experience how you interact with a young relative, and see the sort of parents your friends/family members become, you can definitely see how the past plays into that.
I hadn't seen the video interview with Parker until the official Facebook account posted it yesterday, so it was interesting to see how, for him, that element made the play really come alive for him. Perhaps, watching the play, that came through for me, as it was definitely my favourite element of the story.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 6, 2016 11:27:38 GMT
Question for those who have seen it - how does Harry manage to get some of Voldemort's hair (as far as I recall he didn't actually have any, at least post-Goblet of Fire, though that may just be movie canon) to make the polyjuice potion work (and I'm assuming that Hermione or the Ministry just happen to have a stock of the potion in the first place that just required the final ingredient to be added?)
I can't see how that element of the plot makes sense...
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Post by Jon on Aug 6, 2016 12:14:53 GMT
Question for those who have seen it - how does Harry manage to get some of Voldemort's hair (as far as I recall he didn't actually have any, at least post-Goblet of Fire, though that may just be movie canon) to make the polyjuice potion work (and I'm assuming that Hermione or the Ministry just happen to have a stock of the potion in the first place that just required the final ingredient to be added?) I can't see how that element of the plot makes sense... It wasn't polyjuice, it was Tranfiguration for that scene |
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