Interview with James and Oliver Phelps.

Knowing the end of the series is fast approaching what do you plan on doing?
We’d like to continue acting, it’s something we love doing and we want to try to do different things later on. I (James) could think of worse jobs.

What is your favorite part of the Exhibition?
Mine (James) is the Fred and George joke shops items on display. It’s strange not seeing them on set.

What is your favorite joke item?
I (James) am rather fond of the puking pasties. Oliver prefers the nose biting teacups.

Favorite scene of any Harry Potter movie?
James loved the Yule ball. The Great Hall was all decked out in a snowy theme and I had to learn how to dance the waltz. Oliver couldn’t decide from the campsite in Goblet of Fire or the first time he stepped onto Platform 9 3/4.

If you could have a magical creature what would it be?
James would love a dragon, especially a Hungarian Horntail. The colors are amazing. Oliver said a phoenix for no other reason than they were cool.

If you could have any book 7 prop in the exhibit, what would they be?
James said the costumes of a certain wedding with a certain character which of course he couldn‘t really comment on ... Oliver said he’d like to see the sword of Gryffindor on display.

Interview with Eddie Newquist and Robin Stapley

How long did it take to get the exhibit together?
Eddie Newquist and Robin Stapley: The whole exhibit took a lifetime. Two years in production. We have the best team selecting which props are right for the exhibit since we can’t bring everything down. It was a hard decision to showcase the best.

Did you have any problems getting the props to Toronto?
Eddie Newquist: No; everything went without a hitch. We have a great track record, there’s never any problems and any that do happen to arise, we fix before it becomes a serious one. There are never any problems over the border.

How does the HP Exhibition tie into the Ontario Science Center?
Robin Stapley: Harry Potter is all about expanding your mind into different possibilities, and this is what we at the Ontario Science Center hope to accomplish. It reflects with the beginning of science which is a big hit here. We want to stimulate our visitors and by doing this we can achieve that. We also have audio tours of the exhibit, during which you will hear from the people who worked on the costumes and props, detailing how they were made.

Will you be taking some of the HP Exhibition into the other areas of the Ontario Science Center?
Eddie Newquist: Yes, we’ve already begun working on a Spellbinding School Summer Camp which will be amazing. You can also see how similar Potions is to real chemistry. While Harry Potter and our time is very different, they compliment each other perfectly.

Robin worked on a few film projects before joining Eddie Newquist and began working on the challenge of the HP Exhibition. It took a lot of charming for Warner Bros to accept that an exhibit was necessary and allowed the props to be used.

How large is the exhibit?
Eddie Newquist: Over 16,000 square feet. It took over 18 50-foot tractor trailers to bring the props to the Ontario Science Center. It took over 3,500 man-hours to set up the exhibit.

When I first arrived, early of course, I was apprehensive about what to expect. Would it be like being in the movies or just being in a silly old play?

My assumptions were wrong as I was admitted into the exhibition and laid eyes on the Sorting Hat. It looks even better up close and the voice was the same as in the movie so lifelike! I got to try it on and found out what House I truly belong in and guess what? It’s Ravenclaw!

It’s one thing to think you’re in a House but for the real Sorting Hat from the movies to shout out the House you love dearly, well it’s an experience I’ll never forget.

The exhibit itself was something of magic; everywhere you looked there was something from the movies, from actual attire worn by actors such as Alan Rickman to desserts from the different Hogwarts feasts. It was a very interactive day. You should try to pull the mandrakes out of their pots, but be careful - they won’t kill you they’re only babies.

Once you’ve finished the exhibit, thank the portraits for their wonderful hospitality and go enjoy the gift shoppe.