Harry Potter and the Cursed Child - Lead Cast

Lead casting has been announced for the upcoming West End premiere of Hary Potter and the Cursed Child, which opens at the Palace Theatre in London's West End on 30 July 2016, following previews from 6 June 2016.

Jamie Parker, Noma Dumezweni and Paul Thornley will lead the cast in the roles as Harry, Hermione and Ron with further casting to be announced.

Author J.K. Rowling said of the announcement:

"I'm so excited with the choice of casting for Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. I can't wait to see Jamie, Noma and Paul bring the adult Harry, Hermione and Ron to life on stage next summer."

The new play is written by Jack Thorne, based on an original new story by J.K. Rowling, Jack Thorne and John Tiffany. It will feature 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."

Jamie Parker is currently playing Sky Masterson in 'Guys and Dolls' at the Savoy Theatre. His recent credits include 'High Society' at the Old Vic, 'Assassins' and 'Proof' for the Menier Chocolate Factory, 'Candida' for the Theatre Royal Bath, 'Cat on a Hot Tin Roof' for the West Yorkshire Playhouse, and 'Henry V', 'Henry IV Parts One and Two', 'A New World' and 'As You Like It' for Shakespeare's Globe. He starred in the original cast of 'The History Boys' at the National Theatre the latter also on Broadway.

Noma Dumezweni is currently playing the title role in 'Linda' at the Royal Court Theatre. Her other theatre credits include 'A Raisin In The Sun' for the Young Vic at the Lyric Hammersmith, for which she was the recipient of the Olivier Award for Best Performance in a Supporting Role, 'Feast' and 'Belong' also for the Royal Court, 'Carmen Disruption' for the Almeida Theatre, ''Tis Pity She's A Whore' for Shakespeare's Globe and 'Henry V' at the Noël Coward Theatre.

Paul Thornley's credits include 'London Road' at the National Theatre, 'A Chorus of Disapproval' at the Harold Pinter Theatre, 'Noises Off' at the National Theatre, Piccadilly and Comedy Theatres, 'Spend, Spend, Spend' for West Yorkshire Playhouse and the Piccadilly Theatre and 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', 'All's Well That Ends Well', 'The Tempest' and 'Kiss Me Kate' all for the Regent's Park Open Air Theatre.