Touring Version of “Cursed Child” Is Even Shorter than the New York Production
When it was announced that Broadway’s version of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child would switch to a one-part play, fans were anxious. Now, however, there’s an even shorter version ready to be performed. And no, we aren’t talking about the high school version that was announced last year. The touring production of Cursed Child, which kicked off in Chicago earlier this month, boasts a shorter runtime than the one-part version we’ve become familiar with.
One of the writers of the original screenplay, John Tiffany, told the Chicago Tribune before the production opened that his goal was a runtime of under three hours. The show has clocked in at roughly two hours and 50 minutes on its dates so far. It’s a dramatic drop from the three-and-a-half hours of the Broadway version and an even further cry from the nearly six-hour, two-part version that is still running on the West End.
Describing how he grew up in Northern England, Tiffany explained,
This is the version that I would have seen. It would have had to tour to me if I was ever going to see it. I’m massively behind this because of all the kids that we will be able to reach now and who would never have otherwise been able to see this show.
Tiffany promises that “it’s still the full Harry Potter experience” and that “ninety-five percent of the illusions are still in there,” even if some elements from the London and New York productions were impossible to take on the road. Chicago has become only the third US city to host the show, despite the fact that it opened on Broadway over six years ago. The show will stay at the Nederlander Theatre in Chicago until February 1, when it will then continue its tour.
While the Chicago version has just kicked off, there’s news from the New York production as well. Every Wednesday night in October, guests can expect a range of spooky surprises in celebration of Dark Arts Month. There will be special games, prizes, giveaways, trivia, and more on these nights, with the first four all inspired by a Harry Potter book.
The first night commemorates Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, with the first 100 guests in line set to receive a special-edition copy of the book. The Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets night won’t feature basilisks, but there will be a bunch of music-themed exclusive prizes, including a vinyl copy of the play’s soundtrack. The third Wednesday in October will see the theater’s lobby transformed into a mini Hogsmeade, celebrating the first year that students are allowed to visit the village. The Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire tribute will recreate the Triwizard Tournament, with the first 100 fans welcomed to take part in magical games.
The final Wednesday of October will be the biggest celebration of Dark Arts Month. The first 100 fans will be invited to a special cast-led trivia night, and everyone will be encouraged to attend the show in their Hogwarts robes or other wizarding garb for the chance to be featured on the show’s official Instagram page.
That’s all the Cursed Child news for now. Tickets for all events mentioned are on sale now.
