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Harry Potter and the Cursed Child has established a new standard for blockbuster plays in Australia, drawing more than 325,000 attendees through the doors of the Princess Theatre in a run now entering its second year.
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image media=”68056″ media_width_percent=”100″ alignment=”center” img_size=”full”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Opening to rave reviews 12 months ago, the production officially celebrates its first birthday. The Andrews Labor Government secured the production for its February 2019 debut, making Melbourne only the third city to welcome the acclaimed play following its premiere in London in 2016 and a season in New York in 2018.
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image media=”68054″ media_width_percent=”100″ alignment=”center” img_size=”full”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Victoria continues to be the creative and cultural capital of Australia, with studies showing that the state generates the highest share of national live performance attendance, as well as the highest share of attendance at musical theatre productions.
Harry Potter fans have travelled from near and far to enjoy the play in Melbourne with 50 per cent of ticket holders coming from regional Victoria, interstate or one of 42 countries around the world.
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image media=”68053″ media_width_percent=”100″ alignment=”center” img_size=”full”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]For many, the production was also a first theatre experience (51 per cent) and the first time visiting the Princess Theatre (77 per cent). The appeal of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child to younger audiences has also been strong with 44 per cent of attendees under the age of 35, introducing the theatre to a new generation.
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image media=”68051″ media_width_percent=”100″ alignment=”center” img_size=”full”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The Princess Theatre, which was restored ahead of the show’s launch, is the only place in the southern hemisphere where theatregoers can see this lauded production.
Major events are big business for Victoria – an independent study in 2018 found that they contributed $2.5 billion to the state’s economy.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image media=”68052″ media_width_percent=”100″ alignment=”center” img_size=”full”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]
Based on an original new story by J.K. Rowling, Jack Thorne and John Tiffany, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is a new play by Jack Thorne, directed by John Tiffany. It is the eighth story in the Harry Potter series and the first official Harry Potter story to be presented on stage.
The critically acclaimed production is one play presented in two parts, which are intended to be seen in order on the same day (matinee and evening) or on two consecutive evenings.
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is booked at the Princess Theatre until mid-2020. For more information and tickets, go to harrypottertheplay.com/au.
Source: Harry Potter The Play[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
