Harry Potter and the Cursed Child - details confirmed

Further details have now been confirmed for Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, a new stage play based on the Harry Potter franchise written by Jack Thorne, based on an original new story by J.K. Rowling, Jack Thorne and John Tiffany. The play will open at the Palace Theatre in London's West End on 30 July 2016, following previews from 7 June 2016.

The production features a cast of over thirty, and 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. It is the eighth story in the Harry Potter series and is set "nineteen years later".

The play, produced by Sonia Friedman Productions, Colin Callender's Playground Entertainment and Harry Potter Theatrical Productions, will be the first live action stage production of Harry Potter.

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child will be directed by John Tiffany, with set designs by Christine Jones, costumes by Katrina Lindsay, lighting by Neil Austin, music by Imogen Heap, sound by Gareth Fry and special effects by Jeremy Chernick.

Synopsis: "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."

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."

Tickets will go on general sale on 30 October 2015. It has also been announced that four special preview performances have been planned for the end of May 2016 - further details to be advised.