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Original poster

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child

33 replies

MadCatLady27 · 05/02/2024 22:54

Sorry to post in here but it's for the weekend and not many seats left so need somewhere with high traffic - mods please move if I'm being unreasonable doing this!!

Going to London for a couple of days with DH at the weekend. We were hoping to see Mama Mia but stupidly dithered and now the only seats left are the ones costing £££'s

There is some availability for Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. I love the Harry Potter books and films but hated the script of this when it was released. Harry felt like a completely different character and nothing seemed to tie in properly.

However I know it's got excellent reviews so I am tempted to book, but it's still fairly pricey, so don't want to pay all that and hate it!

Also how does it work for food etc with it being the 2 shows? I don't want to sit there with a rumbling stomach 😂

YABU - if you hated the script why are you even considering going

YANBU - the show is so good your hatred for the script will be magicked away

If you decide I'm being unreasonable, any other suggestions for shows would be appreciated! Loved the Lion King and I'd watch it again but DH wants something new.

OP posts:
Marellaspirit · 05/02/2024 22:59

I went a few years ago, and thought it was brilliant despite the slightly dodgy script. I enjoyed it for the staging and effects more than for the plot. We had enough time to have a meal at a nearby restaurant between the two shows. We had really good seats that were very expensive but it was worth it as we were able to see all the effects with no restricted view.

EssaysOfElia · 05/02/2024 23:01

I am also a huge Harry Potter fan but hated the screenplay for the cursed child but still thought I’d like to see the show as it’s all part of the HP experience! I went in December and it was absolutely brilliant! I loved every moment and would definitely recommend!
There was time between the two shows to get some food and it’s in a really central location so you could easily eat between the two!
I hope you enjoy it if you do go, it was magical!

Singleandproud · 05/02/2024 23:04

There is a McDonald's opposite the theatre. We went to a nearby Pizza Express but there were no seats so took it as takeout and sat on the floor outside the theatre chatting to the security guards. I wouldn't necessarily recommend that but we'd been out since 8am and DD was shattered.

The play and the (theatre) magic were brilliant and brought the script alive but do you want to spend an entire day there if not huge fans. The Ocean at the End of the Lane is brilliant based on a Neil Gaiman book, Charlie Brooks is fabulous in it as is Finty Williams - they were both in the tour so assume they are in the West End version.

GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing · 05/02/2024 23:05

I enjoyed it!

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MadCatLady27 · 05/02/2024 23:08

Argh now I'm leaning towards going thanks to everyone's responses but think we may be priced out of it - didn't realise the price was per performance, also on their website it's saying sold out but London theatre tickets says there's tickets. Frustrating!

OP posts:
Backinthedress · 05/02/2024 23:09

Wicked?

MajesticWhine · 05/02/2024 23:10

I loved it. We didn't have great seats but it was still a wonderful experience.
You have to eat early ideally to get through it.

Lemonyyellow · 05/02/2024 23:11

I loved it. We had one performance one day and the other the next. Really enjoyed. Mamma Mia also fab but I enjoyed them both equally

KeeeeeepDancing · 05/02/2024 23:11

It is a terrific show! Plenty of time to get dinner in between the shows. 20 min intervals in each performance as well.
Today Tix app has last minute tickets on it.
Well worth seeing.

PoptartPoptart · 05/02/2024 23:14

The play is brilliant - stunning visual effects and the acting is amazing. I would definitely recommend it.
You get a couple of hours in between each performance. There are lots of places to eat nearby. Leicester Square is only a few minutes walk.
However, if you like shows then Google the Theatre Cafe Diner on Shaftesbury Avenue. It’s about a 2 minute walk from the theatre. You’ll need to book in advance. The food is good but basic - burgers and tacos and similar - but the decor is fab and the waiting staff sing live show tunes - they sometimes even take requests. It’s a really fun and memorable place to eat.

minipie · 05/02/2024 23:17

Just a few other ideas

Operation Mincemeat
Guys & Dolls
Cabaret
Matilda if you haven’t seen already

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MadCatLady27 · 05/02/2024 23:36

We've decided to suck up the cost and booked 😬

Tickets for several of the other musicals seem to be quite pricey so I'm trying to go with the view this is good value as cheaper than it would be seeing 2 separate shows! Also thinking doing "random" spontaneous activities in London will probably add up to as much as the theatre.

Apparently leg room at the theatre is somewhat dodgy but I'm a hobbit, albeit a fat one so hoping I can cope

It sounds like you have to be there quite early? So many go with the big breakfast approach, with a hobbity elevenses before we go in, then dinner

OP posts:
Purplebunnie · 05/02/2024 23:50

Mamma Mia from £16
A Chorus Line from £19
Tina Turner the Musical
Moulin Rouge

I think I would like to see Tina as I never got to see her in real life but Moulin Rouge tempting as is a Chorus Line.

MCOut · 06/02/2024 00:27

I didn’t really like the script, I thought it was gonna be so boring and I loved it! I’m a chubby hobbit too, you’ll be alright for legroom. There’s also loads of places to eat nearby and China Town is literally around the corner, so don’t worry about that.

TheKeatingFive · 06/02/2024 00:56

The staging is excellent. I enjoyed every minute. We went to Fire & Stone for dinner. There's plenty of time.

TrickorTreacle · 06/02/2024 03:02

I saw it in early 2018 and it was a good show. The cast did these augmented projections where the walls / lines would bend when a spell was cast. Very trippy. Good overall magic effects on the stage too.

That aside, I'm aware with the gender debate with JKR, but that's the trans' choice. If they want to change sex, it's up to them. It's not our battle.

Julianne65 · 06/02/2024 06:57

I’m a huge Harry Potter fan. I absolutely hated the play. I watched it in two parts and didn’t want to come back for the second.

You’re right that the characters all seem different. The story is not fun at all.

There are loads of restaurants nearby the theatre so I went and something to eat then a walk about before the second part.

Tinkeytonkoldfruit · 06/02/2024 07:02

I saw it in 2020 and absolutely loved it - so magical! I am going again next weekend with DD8 for her birthday present, we've booked a table at Pizza Express. Am also hoping we might have time to pop into MinaLima in the interval.

Skigal86 · 06/02/2024 07:06

Went in September and absolutely loved it, but then I also loved the script! We booked a table at a restaurant about 10
mins away (The Delaunay) and when we got there they asked if we were going to the theatre and the service was really quick and we were back in plenty of time.

macaronip1e · 06/02/2024 07:09

China town is close by so we headed there for food; and had time for that and a trip round the Lego shop before the second show

HectorGloop · 06/02/2024 09:12

I’ve seen it twice, once by myself as a last minute outing. Then I took DD9 who is a huge HP fan last month. I agree with everything pp’s have said, the script is a bit clunky but it’s totally outweighed by the staging, which is fab. Plenty of food options nearby, we went to Tuttons in Covent Garden, but loads of restaurants do pre-theatre menus.

dullandgrey · 06/02/2024 10:00

The staging is amazing, especially the dementors bit! Really impressive. But the play itself, didn't feel that great and I'm disappointed to say as we spent so much money on the tickets! Wow, they are not cheap. I was entering the Friday lottery for years until giving up and sucking it up for a birthday gift. And Harry is so unlikeable! He was really annoying me throughout. We did both parts on the same day (easy to get lunch/dinner in between) and wish we hadn't done that as it felt too long of a day. I was ready to go home after the first part. Hopefully you really enjoy it though!

Anonomom12 · 06/02/2024 10:03

We ate in between shows. There was a fab Korean place nearby which was quick and reasonable

jolota · 06/02/2024 10:10

I was abroad when the play came out and couldn't see it for a few years. Booked the cheapest tickets to see the cursed child for when I was back in the UK but then absolutely loathed the script when I read it as a book, for various reasons.
That being said, it's a great show, really cool and fun to watch, I just focused on the production and acting and let the nonsense of some aspects of the script pass me by!
Eat a good breakfast & book for an early dinner during the break between the 2 shows. I liked doing it all in one day as it was all fresh in my mind.
A disclaimer, I did end up cancelling my cheap tickets and getting a refund because I'd had to book so far in advance and eventually got tickets in the friday forty prior to my original booking. So I had a good view etc. This was years ago though so I think it was easier to get them, and I was working a flexible job so was able to take tickets last minute easily.

underneaththeash · 06/02/2024 10:14

I've seen it twice and read the screenplay (which I thought was very predictable). The play is very good - time flies! There is a decent amount of time in between the performances to eat.