It’s been quite an exciting week for Potterheads all around the world as the first preview for the “Harry Potter” play, “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child”, is only a few days away!
You’ve met the Potter family, but are you ready to meet the Granger-Weasleys and the Malfoys?
We have nothing but praise for the Granger-Weasley family which consists of Paul Thornley’s goofy Ron Weasley, Noma Dumezweni’s stern but kind Hermione Granger, and Cherrelle Skeete’s intelligently confident Rose Granger-Weasley.
Unlike Harry Potter, Ron Weasley dons a more comfortable ensemble. In regards to his outfit, Thornley said, “We wanted to find a jumper, that is definitely his favourite jumper, and that I think gets washed occasionally. He wants to essentially be comfortable at all times, hence comfortable cords, comfortable jumper, comfortable shoes. I don’t believe he’s a man who spends an awful lot of time shopping”.
According to Rowling, he is still very much like the Weasley we remember. She said, “Ron in his 40s isn’t very different from Ron in his teens, except that his feet hurt a bit more. Paul’s so funny and brilliant in the role”.
Olivier Award-winner Noma Dumezweni was thrilled with her deep blue makeover as Hermione Granger. “Being in full costume for the first time was stunning, because I went, ‘Ahhh there you are’,” she said.
And as for Rose Granger-Weasley, Rowling said that she takes after her mother. The young actress’ character is described as bossy yet deeply loveable. Like Albus Potter, she also wears the Hogwarts robes but hers are probably brand new as she is the eldest Granger-Weasley child.
The 3rd and final reveal, is Harry Potter’s wizarding school nemesis, Draco Malfoy and his son, Scorpius Malfoy.
Played by actor Alex Price, Draco Malfoy is dressed in a well-tailored suit and like his father, Lucius Malfoy, he also has long slick pale blond hair. In speaking about his character’s role in the play, Price said, “The world outside has been brilliantly marshalled and been kept away from us by our producers. It’s only slowly starting to rear its head now and it’s intimidating, a little scary, but also very exciting because Jack Thorne is such a brilliant writer and he’s taken the story into a great place 19 years later, particularly for Draco”.
The actor is also no stranger to television drama fans as he has appeared in popular series such as “Merlin”, “Doctor Who”, and “Penny Dreadful”.
The relationship of Harry and Draco concluded with a cliffhanger ending: Harry risked his life to save Draco in “Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows”, and then the Malfoys betrayed Voldemort by escaping Hogwarts during the final battle. The 2 politely acknowledge each other at King’s Cross 19 years later, but we still don’t know what happened to them after the fight.
Soon to be both Albus Potter and Rose Granger-Weasley’s enemy, Scorpius Malfoy is played by Belfast-based actor, Anthony Boyle. The young actor was trained at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama.
As a Malfoy, Scorpius’ Hogwarts uniform has the typical “rich boy” twist to it but the young Slytherin looks slightly awkward and less intimidating than his father. Rowling is pretty tightlipped about his role, which makes us even more curious!
“I love Draco and Scorpius – they actually look related!” said Rowling after Boyle dyed his hair pale blonde. She also added that Scorpius is going to do nothing to turn girls off the Malfoy men.
The first preview for “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child” opens at London’s Palace Theatre on 7th June and the book of the script will be released on 31st July.
We can’t wait to go back into Potter-verse!
Sources: Pottermore (1), Pottermore (2).
