Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

Harry Potter & the Cursed Child - advice, please

37 replies

WarmSausageTea · 17/12/2019 09:20

Can I have some opinions about this, please? I’m not a massive HP fan, but have enjoyed the books and the films. I’m thinking about booking up to see the shows, but am not sure how best to do it.

Those of you who have done it, would you recommend doing it all in one day, or over two days? I wouldn’t do a bigger gap between the two parts. I’m thinking about doing consecutive matinees, but I wonder if doing it in one day would be more immersive, if that’s the right word.

Also, does anyone think it is/isn’t worth splashing out on top price seats? I’m okay with paying more if it makes the experience that bit more enjoyable.

Thanks!

OP posts:
BonnieSeptember · 17/12/2019 09:23

Same day! We had the cheaper seats in the balcony but that was only because when I went it was when it was so busy you had to be on an online queue for hours to buy tickets haha!

DoorbellsSleighbellsSchnitzel · 17/12/2019 09:26

Same day definitely. You're right about it being more immersive. We went recently with DC 10 & 12. Didn't feel overly long. Went for early lunch at 12, saw part 1, went for dessert and a wander in between parts, then back for show 2. Finished around 1020pm.

mumtoadancer · 17/12/2019 09:42

Definitely the same day, there is time between the two performances to go and eat etc.

Try and get the best seats that you can, I could only get 2 tickets when I booked and really needed 4. My two daughters, then 17 and 21 were desperate to see it, I booked seats for them on the first row of the circle, they had an amazing view.

I kept checking for returns for myself and about a week before I managed to get a seat at the end of the third row in the stalls at the same performance, it was classed as "may be restricted" it was actually in front of a wall and I could only see half the stage, although I heard the entire show I only saw half of it. I would certainly not book the seat out of choice again.

It's worth paying for better seats if you can, I'm not sure what availability is like now? I booked a few years ago when the show opened and it was fully booked for months.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Films
LadyR77 · 17/12/2019 10:07

Definitely go for both parts on the same day - it's a wonderful experience.

I sat in the front row of the Grand Circle and had a fantastic view.

Itschristmasimallowedwine · 17/12/2019 10:10

Agree same day!

I’m a die-hard Harry Potter fan and whilst I loved the play, I always say to people, treat it like a stand alone play in the HP world not as an add on to HP and you will enjoy it much more. That’s all I can say without spoilers!

And I would go back and watch it again.

madeyemoodysmum · 17/12/2019 10:12

Same day. I'm a massive fan but if I'm honest I was underwhelmed.

Original poster
WarmSausageTea · 17/12/2019 11:55

Thanks for the advice, everyone, much appreciated... and unanimous, I think, to do it in a day.

I enjoyed the HP books and films, but I’m not a super-fan, I want to see CC as much for the theatrical spectacle as for the HP side, if that makes sense.

That said, we might have a friend visiting from the US in August; he’s a massive fan (and has the CC book) so I might suggest it to him and take a punt on some tickets. Availability for August isn’t great, but there is availability - although the BBC breakfast coverage this morning might have changed that!

Thanks again.

OP posts:
bellinisurge · 17/12/2019 12:05

We came all the way down to London and saw it from the cheap seats. It was wonderful. And I am of the view that HP books got worse as the films got better. I am no superfan. It's in the HP world; the story is not what you go for, it is the spectacle.

LER83 · 17/12/2019 13:51

Get the best seats you can afford. We were front row of stalls, which was admittedly way to close, at 5ft I couldn't see the back of the stage or anything below waist height really! But it was amazing! Need to start saving to go again! My husband isn't a massive hp fan, not read any of the books and i don't think he has seen all the films, but he loved it!

madeleineinlondon · 17/12/2019 13:57

Chiming in to agree with everyone else about seeing it on the same day.

We (me and 3 children) had the cheap seats right at the top and it was still amazing. There was lovely camaraderie up there, and a year later the DC are still all buzzing about it. Having said that, if I suddenly had lots of money I’d love to see it again from up close.

amusedbush · 17/12/2019 15:22

I'm a massive HP fan but due to various constraints I only just managed to see the play earlier this year. I lucked out (probably because I went alone and only needed one ticket) but I got a seat in the second row of the dress circle. I had an amazing view, though not much legroom and I'm only 5' 5.

I saw both parts on the same day and it was great. I saw it the day before my birthday so it was a present from me to me Grin

TeenPlusTwenties · 17/12/2019 15:35

We saw it same day.

We were 3 rows from the back of the stalls and it was fine, only missed a few flying related bits high up as the circle was above us.

If you've read the books or seen the films you should enjoy it. DH is not a massive fan but definitely enjoyed himself. I spoke to someone who didn't know HP and they missed out on some understanding.

People go wearing HP jumper, scarves etc, so if that's your thing you won't be the only one.

If I had £1000 to waste I'd go to see it again for the front row of the stalls.

smartiecake · 17/12/2019 15:41

We were in the cheapest seats and we loved it. Fantastic show and we didn't feel we missed anything by being so high up. We did the 2 shows in one day but also travelled 2 hrs to London on the morning. So during the 2nd show i was flagging a bit.

wildcherries · 17/12/2019 15:46

Same day definitely. But I have to say that I was underwhelmed.

Original poster
WarmSausageTea · 17/12/2019 15:50

Thanks again, everyone. Plenty to think about, and it’s definitely high on the wish list now.

OP posts:
Oakmaiden · 17/12/2019 15:53

I went to see it same day, and sat right in the back of the theatre. I don't feel I suffered particularly from being so far up/back.

The story is pretty weak, but the special effects are amazing. I am very glad I went to see it.

AppleKatie · 17/12/2019 15:56

As everyone else has said same day definitely. I would book any seats that aren’t a restricted view in the dress circle.

It’s an amazing theatrical spectacle that happens to be vaguely set in the HP universe enjoy it for that is my advice 😃

PaulGalico · 17/12/2019 17:42

We saw it on the same day. I was underwhelmed but my Potter mad son loved it. Book yourself somewhere to eat for the interval.

TeenPlusTwenties · 17/12/2019 18:42

We ate across the road in the MacDonalds. Smile (My DD was suffering from back problems at the time she could hardly cross the road to get that far.)

modgepodge · 17/12/2019 18:48

Same day for sure - first show ends on a cliffhanger and I can’t imagine going away and waiting 24 hours or more before it continues!

I had cheap seats and there were bits I missed as the view wasn’t great, would love to go again and see it from a better seat!

I can’t imagine going if you’re not a HP fan, or at least know the HP storyline. There’s bits of plot which rely a bit on previous knowledge of what happened in HP stories. You could follow without it but I think there would be bits which would be a bit confusing/not make as much sense.

Radardodgingninga · 17/12/2019 18:49

This is so timely. I booked this morning for next November as a surprise for DH and our 3 grown up DC. Good seats and both shows in the same day. I am so excited IDK if I can keep it a secret until Christmas Day!!

Original poster
WarmSausageTea · 17/12/2019 18:54

Thanks, everyone. I’m not going to get DP to read the books, but I think we’ll go through the films and I’ll suggest it to him - I know he’ll go if I really want to, but it’d be a long old day if he wasn’t enjoying it.

Just seven days, radar, you can do it! Xmas Smile

OP posts:
YoureAllABunchOfBastards · 17/12/2019 18:59

We have done same day (me and DH)and two consecutive evenings (with kids, then 12 and 10). Both worked well. Back of the stalls first time, in the gods second time - again, all fine. Couldn't justify the price of good seats for all of us

VanyaHargreeves · 17/12/2019 19:04

Same day.

It was brilliant. I'd go back if I was made of money, the magic side was superbly done.

KitKat1985 · 17/12/2019 19:05

I went to see it last year and loved it. Definitely agree with doing it in one day. The special effects are amazing.