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