Based on an original new story by J.K. Rowling, Jack Thorne and John Tiffany, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, a new play by Jack Thorne will receive its world premiere in London’s West End at the Palace Theatre in the summer of 2016.

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is the eighth story in the Harry Potter series and the first official Harry Potter story to be presented on stage. Written by Jack Thorne and directed by Olivier and Tony award winner John Tiffany, the play brings together some of the most exciting talent working in the theatre today.

It was always difficult being Harry Potter and it isn’t much easier now that he is an overworked employee of the Ministry of Magic, a husband and father of three school-age children.

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. As past and present fuse ominously, both father and son learn the uncomfortable truth: sometimes, darkness comes from unexpected places.

Featuring a cast of over 30, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is one play presented in two parts. Both parts are intended to be seen in order on the same day (matinee and evening), or on two consecutive evenings.

On Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays there will be a matinee performance of Part One and an evening performance of Part Two. For the initial on sale period, one ticket will automatically secure the same seat for both Part One and Part Two on the same day.

For subsequent booking periods, tickets for Wednesday matinee and Wednesday evening performances can be bought together or separately. Details of when Saturday and Sunday performances of Parts One and Part Two can be bought separately will be announced at a later date.

On Thursdays there will be an evening performance of Part One and on Fridays an evening performance of Part Two. On those days tickets to each part can be bought together or separately.

Previews begin 7 June 2016 (please see website for schedule) with the Opening performances of Part One and Part Two on Saturday 30 July 2016.

In addition four special preview performances are planned for the end of May 2016 – details of where and how to obtain these tickets will be announced at a later date.

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is produced by Sonia Friedman Productions, Colin Callender’s Playground Entertainment and Harry Potter Theatrical Productions.

J.K. Rowling, Jack Thorne and John Tiffany said: “It is very exciting to explore Harry’s world in a brand new way through the live form of theatre. Collaborating on this story is exhilarating for all of us and we can’t wait to present the eighth story at the Palace Theatre next summer.”

J.K. Rowling said: “The story only exists because the right group of people came together with a brilliant idea about how to present Harry Potter on stage. I’m confident that when audiences see Harry Potter and the Cursed Child they will understand why we chose to tell this story in this way.”

Jack Thorne said: “To be working again with John Tiffany to bring Harry Potter to the stage in a new story is an amazing opportunity. As a massive fan of the books it is an enormous responsibility but it also means I have the opportunity to work with J.K. Rowling, which is a huge honour.”

John Tiffany said: “Theatre is storytelling in its purest form. It can be simple, transformative and magical, all at the same time. That’s what makes theatre unique and the opportunity to tell the new Harry Potter story in this way is beyond exciting.”

Sonia Friedman and Colin Callender said: “We are very proud to have assembled some of the finest creative talent working in the theatre today to bring to the stage this epic story of love, courage, adventure and the power of the imagination from J.K. Rowling's Wizarding World. With reduced preview tickets starting at £10 per part, regular tickets starting at £15 per part and the weekly and daily lotteries we have set out to make the play accessible to the widest theatre going audience.”

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child will be directed by John Tiffany with movement by Steven Hoggett, set designs by Christine Jones, costumes by Katrina Lindsay, music by Imogen Heap, lighting by Neil Austin, sound by Gareth Fry, special effects by Jeremy Chernick, illusions by Jamie Harrison and musical supervision by Martin Lowe.

Casting will be announced at a later date.

Weekly Lottery
Every Friday at 1pm, there will be a weekly release online of 20 tickets for each performance. These will be for the following week’s performances and situated in the stalls. Tickets will be £30 during previews and £40 after the show opens to purchase a seat for both Part One and Part Two.

Day Lottery
There will be a daily ticket lottery, with 20 tickets in the stalls at £30 during previews and £40 after the show opens to purchase a seat for both Part One and Part Two. These will be available in person at the Palace Theatre box office on the day of the performance.

Age recommendation
The show is suitable for ages 10 and up.