Spotlight on 'Harry Potter and the Cursed Child' with star Harry Acklowe

As part of a series celebrating some of the West End's longest-running shows, we speak to Harry Acklowe about playing Scorpius Malfoy in the wizarding world of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child has cast a spell over the West End ever since it started performances at the Palace Theatre in 2016. Gearing up for its 10-year anniversary in the capital next year, the epic two-part show continues to entertain and delight legions of Potterheads, with more than two million theatregoers having seen the show in the West End.

The play, which is based on an original new story by J.K. Rowling, Jack Thorne and John Tiffany, picks up 19 years after the final book finishes, with a new generation heading to Hogwarts. But don't worry, Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Draco, along with some other familiar faces, are all still a part of the story.

Harry Acklowe made his professional debut as Scorpius Malfoy, Draco's son, in October 2023. He tells LondonTheatre.co.uk about why the emotional, personal moments in the show are just as powerful as its illusions, and what he hopes audiences take away.

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Why do you think Harry Potter and the Cursed Child has lasted for so long in the West End?
For me, the reason Harry Potter and the Cursed Child has lasted is the extraordinary care taken to preserve the magic that made it a unique production from day one. When I joined the company for my professional debut, I was blown away by how many people are involved in maintaining the show not just in London, but around the world. We have a devoted creative team who meticulously oversee every detail of the acting, the movement and the illusions. Their dedication keeps the show feeling fresh. I was even lucky enough to help workshop material for one of our international productions, and it was inspiring to see John Tiffany and Steven Hoggett, nine years after creating the show, still finding new and exciting ways to keep the story alive. I think that ongoing passion is why audiences keep coming back.

What is the best audience reaction you have seen to Harry Potter and the Cursed Child?
We’re very lucky at Harry Potter and the Cursed Child that – because the show is such an immersive experience – audiences are never shy about showing how they feel in the moment. There are some huge, spectacular moments that get screams and gasps (I won’t spoil those) but what’s most rewarding for me is when people respond to the more personal, emotional beats of my character’s journey. I remember this vividly when I first started in the show in 2023. Scorpius has a complicated relationship with his father, Draco, as they are two very different people who struggle to connect. Towards the end of the play, however, there’s a scene where they finally understand one another. On my opening night that moment earned a huge round of applause. It was a sign that I’d told their story truthfully, and it lifted a weight off my shoulders knowing the connection had landed with the audience.

What is your favourite moment in the show?
This is one I get asked at stage door a lot and honestly, my answer changes regularly. Right now, my favourite moment is “the library scene” in Act Two. But actually, if you’d told me two years ago that it would be my favourite, I’d have been surprised. For Scorpius, it’s a turning point as it’s the first time he really stands up for himself, which is a huge shift from his usual nature. It’s one of the scenes I auditioned for, and it contains a long, emotional speech where Scorpius finally unloads all the baggage he’s been carrying. For a long time, I felt a lot of pressure to get it right every night. But after living with it for so long, the fear has eased slightly and I can now enjoy the immense privilege of delivering such a beautifully written, emotional monologue on a West End stage. There’s so much story leading up to that moment, and when I finally open the emotional floodgates, it’s not only cathartic for Scorpius but it’s often just as therapeutic for me.

What is a little-known secret about performing in this show?
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child has one of the largest backstage teams of any show currently running in the West End. Our stage management team alone is nine people, and that number can rise to thirteen during particularly busy times of the year. From the audience, you’d never guess the meticulously choreographed chaos happening behind the scenes. It’s the perfect example of a swan gliding gracefully on the surface while paddling frantically underneath. And despite the grandeur of the Palace Theatre, the wings are actually tiny so every smooth transition you see on stage is thanks to the incredible precision and dedication of our backstage teams.

What do you hope audiences take away from Harry Potter and the Cursed Child?
Of course, people leave Harry Potter and the Cursed Child talking about the magic; the illusions are astonishing, and it’s an epic piece of theatre at the highest level. But what personally hope they carry with them is that the heart of the story is love. At its core, this is a play about friendship, family, and truly seeing your loved ones for who they are. Those themes are what make performing this show rewarding for me after two years. Even in the heightened, fantastical world of wizardry, the most powerful force against hate and darkness is, and always will be, love. If that’s what audiences remember when they leave, then we’ve done our job.

Book Harry Potter and the Cursed Child tickets on LondonTheatre.co.uk

Photo credit: Harry Acklowe in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. (Courtesy of production)