Direction: John
Tiffany – Movement Direction: Steven Hoggett
Set design: Christine Jones – Costumes design: Katrina
Lindsay
Composer and arranger: Imogen Heap – Lighting design:
Neil Austin
Princess Theatre Melbourne from 23rd
February 2019.
Reviewed by Bill Stephens
In only its third production, following London and New
York, the gargantuan show that is Harry Potter
and the Cursed Child has finally
arrived in Melbourne in an extraordinary production which certainly lives up to
the hype.
With a total running time in excess of five hours,
designed to be viewed in two sessions, either at a matinee and evening
performance, or over two consecutive nights, the show never drags. In fact it
doesn’t seem long enough as it grabs you by the short and curlies, from the
very opening scene on Platform Nine of
Kings Cross Station, where the now adult Harry Potter, (Gareth Reeves) and his
wife, Ginny (Lucy Goleby) are farewelling their son Albus Potter (Sean
Rees-Wemyss) on his way to Hogwarts.
 |
| Manali Datar (Rose Granger-Weasley)-Paula Arundell (Hermione Granger) - Gyton Grantley (Ron Weasley) Siena Conti (Lily Potter) - David Simes (James Potter) - Lucy Goleby (Ginny Potter) Gareth Reeves (Harry Potter) - Sean Rees-Wemyss (Albus Potter) |
Also farewelling their daughter, Rose Granger-Weasley,
(Manali Datar), also heading for Hogwarts, are Ron Weasley (Gyton Grantley) and
Hermione Granger (Paula Arundell).
Although Harry has cautioned Albus to avoid contact
with Scorpius Malfoy, (William McKenna), the son of his arch-enemy Draco Malfoy
(Tom Wren), the pair meet up and soon become best friends, setting the scene
for a series of adventures, involving time travel, flashbacks and magical
transformations, which entwine both families.
 |
| William McKenna (Scorpius Malfoy) - Sean Rees-Wemyss (Albus Potter) |
The flashbacks and time travel provide opportunity to
incorporate references to incidents from the Harry Potter books which inspired
this iteration, and although it’s not a musical, there’s plenty of music.
Imogen Heap’s atmospheric score sets the mood for each scene, as staircases,
suitcases, furniture and assorted props swirl around the stage. Nobody walks.
Everybody hurries to, or from, somewhere. The actors swirl capes and deliver
their dialogue in heightened tones, bringing a sense of urgency to every scene.
John Tiffany’s direction is masterly, carefully
focusing the audience’s attention on the complex storyline which he punctuates with
jaw-dropping illusions while disguising set and costume changes with dazzling movement
as meticulously choreographed as any ballet.
 |
| William McKenna (Scorpius Malfoy) - Manali Datar (Rose Granger-Weasley) - Sean Rees-Wemyss (Albus Potter) |
His masterstroke however is obtaining interesting and
absorbing characterizations from his actors amid all the razzle dazzle
staging. In a very strong cast, many of
whom play several roles, relative new-comer, Sean Rees-Wemyss as Albus Potter and
William McKenna, making his professional debut as his unlikely bestie, Scorpius
Malfoy, both give engaging, star-making performances. Manali Datar also makes a strong impression in
her first professional role as the effervescent Rose Granger-Weasley.
 |
| Gyton Grantley (Ron Weasley) - Paula Arundel (Hermione Granger) Gareth Reeves (Harry Potter) - Lucy Goleby (Ginny Potter) |
Gareth Reeves and Lucy Goleby give stylish
performances as Harry Potter and his
wife, Ginny, while Gyton Grantley captures most of the laughs as Ron Weasley.
Paula Arundell is quite magnificent as Hermione Granger, and white-haired Tom
Wren brings a conciliatory tone to his interpretation of the villainous Draco
Malfoy. Among the many cameo roles Gillian Cosgriff is a stand-out as Mad
Myrtle and Soren Jensen is memorable as both Sorting Hat and Hagrid.
Although it was clear that the many Potterphiles in
the audience, costumed proudly in their House scarves and beanies, were clearly
grooving on the Potter mythology references scattered throughout the show, this
critic, who has read none of the Harry Potter books, found this no disadvantage,
quickly becoming engrossed in the cleverness of the storytelling, and the
magnificence of the staging which incorporated the whole of the Princess
Theatre, newly decked out in Hogwarts carpet and light fittings as part of a
multi-million dollar renovation in preparation for this production, destined to
be a must-see experience for anyone visiting Melbourne in the foreseeable
future.
Photos by Matt Murphy
This review first published in STAGE WHISPERS ON 24th February 2019
