J.K. Rowling offers her support to Harry Potter & The Cursed Child cast backstage at London press preview

A spellbinding performance! J.K. Rowling offers her support to Harry Potter & The Cursed Child cast backstage at London press preview

By KATE THOMAS AND JABEEN WAHEED FOR MAILONLINE

PUBLISHED: 23:49, 30 July 2016 | UPDATED: 00:02, 31 July 2016

Fans have been awaiting the stage sequel of the bestselling series with baited breath.

And the moment of glory was finally here, with author J.K. Rowling showing her support for the Harry Potter & The Cursed Child cast backstage at London's Palace Theatre ahead of the Saturday night press preview.

Actors Jamie Parker, Noma Dumezweni and Paul Thornley - who play Harry Potter, Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley respectively - were seen sharing a celebratory hug as they anxiously prepared to take to the stage.

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Big night! Actors Jamie Parker, Noma Dumezweni and Paul Thornley - who play Harry Potter, Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley respectively - were celebrating the Harry Potter & The Cursed Child press night at London's Palace Theatre on Saturday 

Show of support: Bestselling Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling, pictured with cast member Sam Clemmett, was naturally in attendance

Set 19 years after the events of the seventh and final book in Rowling's series, Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows, the teen wizarding trio are all grown up for the stage production. 

It's been five years since The Deathly Hallows – Part 2 concluded on the big screen, with Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint bowing out from the leading roles. 

However, the actors' costumes clearly reflected the beloved characters' individual traits, from Ron's baggy orange jumper to Harry's round spectacles and lightening bolt scar and Hermione's smart attire.  

All grown up! Set 19 years after the events of the seventh and final book in Rowling's series, Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows, the teen wizarding trio are all grown up for the stage production

Stage sequel: It's been five years since The Deathly Hallows – Part 2 concluded on the big screen, with Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint bowing out from the leading roles

In character: The actors' costumes clearly reflected the beloved characters' individual traits, from Ron's baggy orange jumper to Harry's round spectacles and lightening bolt scar and Hermione's smart attire

Speaking at the event, J.K. - who has penned the script alongside writer Jack Thorne and director John Tiffany - revealed she was thrilled fans had been keeping details of the play under wraps.

She told the BBC: 'It's the most extraordinary fandom so I'm kind of not surprised, because they didn't want to spoil it for each other. I'm so happy we got here without ruining everything.'

Audiences have been asked to keep coy about the play - which has been split into two parts over five hours - since previews began.

Top secret: Speaking at the event, J.K. - who has penned the script alongside writer Jack Thorne and director John Tiffany - revealed she was thrilled fans had been keeping details of the play under wraps 

Two-part production: Audiences have been asked to keep coy about the play - which has been split into two parts over five hours - since previews began

Quizzed about whether the production would be heading to Browdway, she said: 'I'd love it to go wider than that. I'd like as many Potter fans to see it as possible.'

It has been met with rave reviews from critics, with one branding it a 'game-changing production'. 

Rowling couldn't resist a little wizardry with her wardrobe on Saturday as the 50-year-old author hit the red carpet outside The Palace Theatre wearing a pair of unique winged heels. 

Time to shine: J.K. couldn't resist a little twist to her ensemble on Saturday, wearing winged heels as she walked the red carpet earlier in the evening 

Flying away: She stood tall in her statement butterfly gold heels 

Rowling oozed glamour in a sophisticated navy dress and tied her blond locks in to a chignon, while holding a patterned gold clutch and standing tall in her gold strappy heels.

It was also a significant occasion since she was making a very rare red carpet appearance with her husband Dr.Neil Murray.

Her husband of fifteen years looked incredibly dapper in a slick checkered suit as he posed beside his other half with ease.  

The duo soaked up the highly energised atmosphere and posed up a storm as they revisited her most famous idea brought to life.    

Proving to already be a knock-out success, the show is largely sold out through December 2017; and another 250,000 tickets are set to go on sale Aug. 4.

'It is event theater in the truest sense,' said theater commentator Terri Paddock, who co-founded stage website MyTheatreMates. 

'You can't turn up at the Palace Theatre and not get caught up in the excitement. 

Spell-binding: Rowling made a very rare red carpet appearance with her husband Dr.Neil Murray at the event

Beautiful: The celebrated author radiated in a sophisticated navy number

Details: A pair of gold strappy butterly-inspired heels provided comfort for her as she signed autographs 

Plot: Last seen as a teenage wizard, the play will see Harry as an overworked civil servant at the Ministry of Magic, while his son Albus is a pupil at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

Details: She clung on to a lavish gold patterned clutch with her manicured nails 

'There is such a buzz: passers-by stopping and staring ... children with their capes and wands and wizard excitement'.

She helped develop the story, but the script is by largely written by playwright Jack Thorne with J.K lending a helping hand. 

It runs for five hours over two parts, which can be seen on separate evenings or during two-show days. 

Glam: She tied her blond locks in to a chignon while statement earrings framed her face 

Continuation: Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is a two-part stage drama that picks up 19 years after the story ends and nine years after Rowling's final novel

Gorgeous: She kept her make-up look summery and fluttery 

The team: Producer Sonia Friedman, writer Jack Thorne, author J.K. Rowling, writer-director John Tiffany and producer Colin Callender (L-R) posed at the event 

Last seen as a teenage wizard, the play will see Harry as an overworked civil servant at the Ministry of Magic, while his son Albus is a pupil at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

The producers' synopsis says that 'while Harry grapples with a past that refuses to stay where it belongs, his youngest son Albus must struggle with the weight of a family legacy he never wanted.'

Beyond that, audience members lucky enough to have already witnessed the spectacle during the two months of previews have been told to #keepthesecret.

Day off: Clearly a Harry Potter fan, Mayor of London Sadiq Khan also stepped out for the joyous occasion 

Date: He arrived on the arms of his wife Saadiya Khan

Exciting: The 45-year-old British politician spoke to the press about the exciting play which runs for five hours over two parts, which can be seen on separate evenings or during two-show days

Avoiding spoilers, critics at Variety dubbed the show 'spellbinding' and 'total theater', while London's Daily Telegraph said it would 'raise the benchmark for family entertainment for years to come'.

Since finishing the Potter books, Rowling has written a novel for adults, The Casual Vacancy, and three crime thrillers under the name Robert Galbraith.

Meanwhile, others at The Cursed Child premiere were Mayor of London Sadiq Khan, comedy actress Morwenna Banks, novelist David Baddiel and Downton Abbey star Laura Carmichael. 

Head-turner: Downton Abbey star Laura Carmichael looked stunning in a flirty navy ensemble with short ruffled sleeves 

Natural: She kept her make-up soft and pretty for the daytime spectacle 

Having a good time: Morwenna Banks (L) and David Baddiel looked casually cool for the event 

Squad: Morwenna Banks, Dolly Baddiel, David Baddiel and Ezra Baddiel posed together 

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-3716404/J-K-Rowling-supports-Harry-Potter-Cursed-Child-cast-London-press-preview.html#ixzz4FwCTheYl
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Harry Potter and the Cursed Child heading for the London stage with brand new story about boy wizard’s adventures, JK Rowling reveals

Harry Potter heading for the London stage with brand new story about boy wizard’s adventures, JK Rowling reveals 

• Harry Potter and the Cursed Child will open in London in summer 2016 
• It is based on a new story and will explore 'an untold part' of Harry's life
• 49-year-old used Twitter to announce the news, which delighted fans 

By LYDIA WILLGRESS FOR MAILONLINE

PUBLISHED: 16:13, 26 June 2015 | UPDATED: 18:01, 26 June 2015

JK Rowling has announced there will be a Harry Potter play released in London's West End next year.

The author said the drama, titled Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, will open in summer 2016.

It is based on a new story written by Rowling and will explore 'an untold part' of Harry’s life.

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JK Rowling has announced there will be a Harry Potter play released in London's West End next year

The 49-year-old announced her decision on Twitter, writing: 'It will tell a new story, which is the result of a collaboration between writer Jack Thorne, director John Tiffany and myself #CursedChild.

'I don’t want to say too much more, because I don’t want to spoil what I know will be a real treat for fans. However, I can say that it is not a prequel!'

Rowling, whose popular series has already been adapted into eight films starring Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint, also explained why she decided against releasing another novel.

'To answer one inevitable (and reasonable!) question - Why isn’t #CursedChild a new novel? - I am confident that when audiences see the play they will agree that it was the only proper medium for the story,' she wrote.

The author said the drama, titled Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, will open in summer 2016. It is not a prequel to her popular series, which has also been turned into a set of films (scene above)

A MAGICAL TALE THAT HAS BEEN RETOLD ACROSS THE GLOBE

Rowling's novels about Harry Potter have sold more than 450 million copies around the world.

They have spawned various spin-offs including other books, films and attractions. 

On top of the seven novels, the author released encyclopedic book Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them, which is being turned into a film starring Eddie Redmayne later this year.

She also wrote Quidditch Through The Ages and The Tales of Beedle the Bard, a book of children's stories mentioned in her magical tales.   

In 1998 Rowling sold the rights to the first four books to Warner Brothers, for a reported £1million. The first film - Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone - was released in November 2001.

The last film - the second half of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - was released almost a decade later in July 2011. 

If this isn't enough for fans, eleven video games have been made and they can also visit one of two attractions.

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, in Florida, includes the re-creation of fictional town Hogsmeade and several rides, while The Making of Harry Potter is had a life-size version of the famous train, which departed from platform 9 3/4.

Actor Mark Williams unveils the original Hogwarts Express on platform 9 3/4, as part of the new permanent expansion at the Warner Bros. Studio Tour in London

'I’ve had countless offers to extend Harry’s story over the years, but Jack, John and Sonia Friedman are a dream team! 

'It has been a huge pleasure to share with them (and soon, with you!) this untold part of Harry’s story.' 

Fans quickly took to social media to share their delight at the unexpected news.  

Juan Camus wrote on Twitter: 'Fantastic news for a HP fan like me.' 

JK Rowling on which Harry Potter character she misses the most

The 49-year-old author announced her decision on Twitter, which delighted many of her eager fans

George Lester added: 'YAY!!!! ALL OF THE EXCITEMENT!!! Can we have a novelisation too please??? #CursedChild.'

Another, known just as Wild Bear, wrote: 'WAIT WHAT WHAT IS LIFE I CANNOT CONTAIN MY FEELINGS.' 

Harry Potter And The Cursed Child will open at London’s Palace Theatre. Tickets will go on sale in the autumn. 

REVEALED: WHY HARRY'S UNCLE HATED HIM SO MUCH 

JK Rowling also finally revealed why Uncle Vernon hated his nephew so much this week.

Writing on her popular website Pottermore, the author has divulged what exactly provoked Vernon's dislike of Harry - his hatred for his father, James Potter.

Throughout the books the author made it clear that the all of the Dursleys - Vernon, wife Petunia, Harry's maternal aunt, and cousin Dudley - saw the orphaned Harry as an unfortunate burden. 

In the family backstory, Rowling writes that while Lily and her then-boyfriend James Potter were in their final year at Hogwarts, they were invited by Petunia to meet her new fiancé, Vernon Dursley.

She wrote: 'James was amused by Vernon, and made the mistake of showing it.

'Vernon tried to patronise James, asking what car he drove. James described his racing broom.

'Vernon supposed out loud that wizards had to live on unemployment benefit. James explained about Gringotts, and the fortune his parents had saved there, in solid gold.

'Vernon could not tell whether he was being made fun of or not, and grew angry.

'The evening ended with Vernon and Petunia storming out of the restaurant, while Lily burst into tears and James (a little ashamed of himself) promised to make things up with Vernon at the earliest opportunity.'

But the two couples never reconciled and the Dursleys later refused to attend Lily and James's wedding, due to the falling out. 

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3140661/Harry-Potter-heading-London-stage-JK-Rowling-reveals.html#ixzz3eCASYrvV
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JK Rowling and the idyllic village that never was... And the five Cotswolds towns TV show used instead

By NIKKI MURFITT FOR THE MAIL ON SUNDAY

PUBLISHED: 09:28, 15 February 2015 | UPDATED: 17:15, 15 February 2015

Forget the stars and intrigues. The real draw of tonight's eagerly awaited A Casual Vacancy TV debut is its utterly gorgeous setting. Or IS it? 

The small West Country village of Pagford is a rural dream, with its abundance of small stores, family-run shops and cobbled streets. The fictional community on which author J. K. Rowling based her book The Casual Vacancy was always meant to reflect the absolute essence of English country life.

But when it came to turning the author’s bestselling novel into one of this year’s most hotly anticipated television series – beginning tonight on BBC1 – it swiftly became apparent that such a quintessential rural retreat no longer exists.

So to accommodate all the strands of rural life in one location, the BBC was forced to use five Cotswold villages instead of one.

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To accommodate all the strands of rural life in one location, the BBC was forced to use five Cotswold villages to stand in for the village of Pagford in the TV adaptation of JK Rowling's A Casual Vacancy, which stars Michael Gambon (right)

The Casual Vacancy arrives on Sunday night

Tonight, when viewers tune in for the first episode – a story of intrigue, simmering resentment, drug addiction, child neglect and domestic abuse – it will appear as though the £4 million drama unfolds in a single village. In reality, Pagford is made up of elements of the popular tourist spots Bisley, Minchinhampton, Northleach, Painswick and Burford.

However, the run-down council estate that borders Pagford and sends its residents into a snobbish tizzy was filmed 60 miles away in Bristol.

Producer Ruth Kenley Letts admits: ‘Logistically it was very complicated, but the locations are as important as the characters so there had to be a high level of detail that you just couldn’t get in one place.’

Suspense: Keeley Hawes (pictured) plays lingerie shop owner Samantha Mollison

The difficulties became apparent to director Jonny Campbell when he filmed the opening sequence of the three-part series, which shows two boys on a supposedly gentle bicycle ride. They actually clocked up enough miles for a long-distance bike race.

Mr Campbell says: ‘To have them passing Pagford village landmarks, they actually had to cycle from Bibury, downhill to Painswick, then to Northleach and ended up in Burford, where we set the community hall. It was their very own Tour de Cotswolds.’

The drama is based on J. K. Rowling’s first foray into adult novels following her Harry Potter series. Its plot has been described as Midsomer Murders meets Trainspotting, with the bleakness of a Thomas Hardy or Charles Dickens novel thrown in for good measure.

The story begins when a vacancy appears on the parish council following the sudden death of one of its leading lights, Barry Fairbrother, played by Rory Kinnear. As villagers vie for the role, the intriguing feuds, bitter secrets and clandestine relationships that have been shrouded in secrecy begin to unfold.

To help you follow what’s what in Pagford – and where’s where – here is our behind-the-scenes guide to the village that’s five places rolled into one…

1. Haven for druggies 

SWEETLOVE HOUSE 

This community centre – home to social services, including a hotly disputed drug-rehabilitation centre and food bank – is central to the drama’s action.

In reality, the building is Warwick Hall in the heart of the busy town of Burford. The building’s listed status meant producers had to employ technical wizardry to transform it into Rowling’s vision: a custom-designed wall mural and the centre’s logo are special effects.

2. Coffin chaos in a tiny cottage 

BARRY AND MARY FAIRBROTHER'S HOUSE

When the film crew spotted an idyllic cottage a stone’s throw from the church in Bisley, they decided it was perfect for the home of Barry, the councillor whose death sets the drama in motion. However, they hadn’t reckoned on the difficulty of getting his coffin out of the front door.

Jonny Campbell says: ‘We didn’t really appreciate that getting a coffin from the kitchen and outside to the church would be so tricky.

‘It ended up with the crew having to take the coffin halfway up the stairs and then manoeuvre it out as if it was part of a furniture removal rather than an emotional scene.’

Location: In reality, Pagford is made up of elements of the popular tourist spots Bisley, Minchinhampton, Northleach, Painswick and Burford

3. Oh Lord! It's the Luftwaffe's church

PAGFORD CHURCH

Not one, but two churches were used. Long-distance shots showing the romantic spire of Pagford actually show Painswick church.

The close-ups that viewers will see are of All Saints in Bisley, which boasts a medieval spire reaching almost 900ft above sea level and visible for miles around.

Local folklore suggests the Luftwaffe used it to mark their course on bombing raids of Gloucester.

4. Bookshop becomes part of the story 

TESS AND COLIN WALL'S HOUSE

The deputy head of the local comprehensive – and wannabe parish councillor – and his wife, live in a cosy cottage which is actually a former bookshop in Bisley. The property, owned by the National Trust, was sitting empty when location scouts snapped it up for the programme.

5. Boudoir that made villagers blush  

SAMANTHA'S BOUDOIR 

Glamorous Samantha Mollison, played by Keeley Hawes, is one of The Casual Vacancy’s key figures, but her lingerie shop caused outrage among real-life visitors to Painswick.

The real parish council received a number of complaints about the prospect of a racy boutique opening up in a village known as the ‘Queen of the Cotswolds’. They claimed that not only was it ‘wholly unsuitable and degrading’, but that they’d never visit the village again.

Not everyone was shocked, however. Series producer Ruth Kenley Letts revealed that one elderly gentleman discreetly asked when the grand opening would be as he’d like an invite.

Too racy: The 'boudoir' fooled real-life visitors to Painswick, who protested about the prospect of a racy boutique to the parish council

6. Library that's hardly local 

PAGFORD LIBRARY 

Locals and visitors to the area will be familiar with the facade of Painswick Town Hall which, in the series, is Pagford library.

But once inside, they could be forgiven for some confusion. The interior shown in the series is actually that of a teaching hospital in Bristol, 60 miles away.

7. Sorry, no coffee at this cafe 

MOLLISON'S CAFE

A wine bar in Northleach became Pagford’s cafe. Tourists regularly asked to be seated at tables which were empty between takes, hoping for a cappuccino. Some brought deck chairs and sandwiches to watch filming from the pavement.

8. Medieval torture locals want back 

VILLAGE STOCKS

This instrument of punishment was once a feature of most village greens, including Northleach’s, before they and the green were replaced by the modern necessity of a car park for visiting tourists. They were reinstated for the five days filming took place in the town, and many locals were disappointed when they disappeared again at the end of the shoot – so much so that parish councillors are now considering putting them back permanently.

Chain of events: Michael Gambon (left) as parish council leader Howard Mollison, and Abigail Lawrie (right) as teenager Krystal Weedon - who lives with her heroin-addict mother on The Fields estate

9. Gambon's fake deli that fooled hungry tourists 

MOLLISON'S DELICATESSEN

Perhaps the fact that actor Michael Gambon – who plays parish council leader Howard Mollison – was serving behind the counter should have been a clue that something unusual was happening in the Black Cat Cafe at Northleach.

But director Mr Campbell says: ‘Some tourists wandered in assuming it was a real deli and were picking up bits of fake bread and sausages to buy. They had no idea they’d wandered on to a film set.’

10. Centre stage for the village theatre 

THE GUILDHALL

Barry Fairbrother dies in the street outside the building that will become a polling station as power-hungry villagers vie for his vacant seat. Away from the cameras, it is a local theatre and function room in Minchinhampton. The square in front doubles as a car park for shoppers. Strict parking restrictions were enforced during filming – so that in one scene a flock of sheep could be driven through the square, to the delight of many residents.

JK Rowling launches The Casual Vacancy

Scene-setter: Historic Minchinhampton was one of five locations used, with the town's Guildhall doubling up as Pagford's polling station

11. The posh hotel where the sheets are dirty 

THE CROWN HOTEL

An upmarket bistro where Pagford’s residents enjoy candlelit dinners. What viewers won’t see are the piles of rubble which surrounded the cast during filming.

The property, in Minchinhampton, was being turned into a gastropub and boutique B&B, but wasn’t completed by the time the cameras appeared last July – so half of it was dressed to look like a restaurant, while dust sheets hid the building site that made up the rest.

12. Estate village snobs hate 

THE FIELDS

The housing estate disdained by snobby residents of Pagford was filmed at Long Ashton and at the Bisley Estate in Stroud. According to Ruth Kenley Letts, finding an estate that had only two-storey houses and no flats was difficult, but crucial. ‘We couldn’t have anywhere that was surrounded by high rises because it wouldn’t have been in keeping with the village feel.’

Teenager Krystal Weedon lives there with her heroin-addict mother, and longs to escape.

• The Casual Vacancy is on BBC1 tonight at 9pm.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2954218/JK-Rowling-idyllic-village-never-five-Cotswolds-towns-TV-used-instead.html#ixzz3RqlKNp1I
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