They look great. Wish I could watch this live.
Behind the scenes video of the photoshoot.
Harry, Albus and Ginny
https://www.pottermore.com/news/cursed-child-first-look-at-potters-in-character
Ron, Hermione and Rose
https://www.pottermore.com/news/cursed-child-first-look-at-weasleys-in-character
Draco and Scorpius
https://www.pottermore.com/news/cursed-child-first-look-at-malfoys-in-character
Behind the scenes video of the photoshoot.
Harry, Albus and Ginny
The actors playing Ginny and Albus Potter are confirmed, as the production of Cursed Child unveils a new series of character portraits showing the actors in costume. While J.K. Rowling says Jamie Parker ‘simply is Harry now.’
We’re just a week away from the first preview of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child Parts One and Two and today we are thrilled to share character portraits of Harry, Ginny and Albus Severus Potter, as they will appear in the play.
When asked about actor Jamie Parker’s transformation, J.K. Rowling said: ‘He simply is Harry now. There's a kind of relief in watching him, he gets it so right.’
With Jamie is Sam Clemmett as Albus Severus Potter, and Poppy Miller as Ginny Potter.
Poppy has previously appeared on stage in productions of Macbeth and Twelfth Night, while her film and TV work has included roles in Line of Duty, Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll and The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel.
While Sam has appeared in productions of Lord of the Flies, and Wendy and Peter Pan for the Royal Shakespeare Company and you may also have spotted him on your TV screens in The Musketeers and Foyle’s War.
As well as confirming more of the Cursed Child cast, these wonderful photos give us so much to be excited about: this is the first time we’ve caught a glimpse of Jamie with Harry’s legendary scar; the first time we’ve seen Harry, Ginny and Albus together and the first time we’ve seen Katrina Lindsay’s costume designs and hair and make-up designs by Carole Hancock.
It might seem almost strange to see Harry Potter without his trusty Hogwarts robes, but Jamie took us through Harry’s more grown-up attire.
‘He’s wearing a suit because he’s a Ministry man, but he’s not just a bloke in a suit, that’s way too anonymous,’ Jamie explained. ‘And it sounds strange but we talked around a lot of different suits, because there are suits and suits, and a lot of them we put on and we went “Mmm it’s just not right”.
‘With all the character’s costumes we want them to be instantly familiar when people see them, so that people feel like the story’s safe in our hands, and that we’re taking that responsibility seriously.’
Speaking of instantly familiar, how did Jamie feel donning the world-famous scar and glasses?
‘They’re just iconic. These are stories that people have lived with for their whole lives, they’ve grown up with and now they’re adults re-joining the tale, picking it up where they left off and I’m one of them. In a sense you don’t need more than the scar and the glasses, you kind of go, “there it is” and I don’t really know how to put it into words, it’s just immeasurably exciting and I can’t wait to show it to people.’
‘It’s a unique gig in the sense that you have seven volumes of backstory that you get to bring on with you. And we were all very keen to make sure that the first time you see Harry it just feels right.’
Poppy Miller was thrilled with her new look as Ginny Potter (née Weasley). ‘So far I’ve had a fabulous haircut and, as this is Ginny’s hair, it’s obviously red and quite sleek,’ Poppy explained. ‘I also get to wear a gorgeous, hand-knitted jumper. I think of it as a really tasteful Pygmy Puff.’
J.K. Rowling was just as happy to see Poppy in character. She said: ‘I think a lot of people would like to have Poppy's Ginny for a mother. Kind and cool, exactly as I imagined her.’
Hogwarts robes at last. Sam Clemmett told us he was sure Albus’s robes were hand-me-downs from his character’s elder brother.
‘This is what Albus wears at the start of the show,’ he said. ‘I had the idea he was wearing James’s – his older brother’s – hand-me-downs. So I wanted him to feel quite uncomfortable, and be able to play with his clothes.’
Ever conscious of keeping the secrets, J.K. Rowling said: ’There's much I could say about Sam-as-Albus, but we'd be into spoiler territory so quickly I'll just say we couldn't have cast better.’
Well, this is all rather exciting. And, as Poppy shares, the production of Cursed Child continues to deliver amazing surprises for the cast too.
‘We are very excited about sharing the play with everyone who is coming,’ Poppy said. ‘All of us are seeing things every day, what other people are doing for the first time on stage, that’s making us squeal with excitement. So, bring it on!’
We couldn’t agree more.
https://www.pottermore.com/news/cursed-child-first-look-at-potters-in-character
Ron, Hermione and Rose
A first look at Ron, Hermione and Rose Granger-Weasley as they will appear in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child Parts One and Two. Noma Dumezweni ‘gets Hermione inside out,’ according to J.K. Rowling.
Yesterday, we got a sneak peek at Harry, Ginny and Albus Potter in full Cursed Child costume and make-up. Now, let’s meet the Granger-Weasleys.
Here we see Harry’s two best friends Ron Weasley (Paul Thornley) and Hermione Granger (Noma Dumezweni) in full costume with their daughter Rose Granger-Weasley, who will be played by actress Cherrelle Skeete.
‘It’s 19 years later when the play begins,’ Paul explained. ‘Ron is married to Hermione Granger and they’re now the Granger-Weasleys. Our magnificent daughter Rose Granger-Weasley is about to start at Hogwarts, which is obviously a big day for everyone.’
A very big day indeed, and a very big job for Cherrelle Skeete, shown here in Rose’s brand new Hogwarts uniform. Cherrelle has previously appeared in productions of The Lion King and Wind in the Willows, as well as television series Call the Midwife and Danny and the Human Zoo – which coincidentally, starred Harry Potter actors Evanna Lynch, and James and Oliver Phelps.
‘I can’t think about how big it is or I’ll just faint,’ Cherrelle said. ‘Putting on my uniform, ready to go to Hogwarts, and seeing everyone else in their uniform was exciting. I’ve been looking at it every day in the wardrobe department, waiting for the day I can get on the Hogwarts Express.’
Cherrelle also teased that Rose will embody just a little bit of her mother – what a surprise. She said: ‘Rose is ambitious, obviously her mum is Hermione so she’s got a lot to live up to. I think they’re quite similar in the fact they put a lot of pressure on themselves. And she just wants to do the right thing.’
J.K. Rowling agreed that Rose takes after Hermione: ‘Rose is like her mother, but more secure, more grounded. She was born to wizards and knows her place in the world. Cherrelle plays her perfectly: bossy but deeply loveable.’
And speaking of Hermione, J.K. Rowling said: 'I saw Noma workshop the part and when John Tiffany told me he'd cast her, I was overjoyed. She gets Hermione inside out.’
Olivier Award-winner Noma was understandably thrilled with her makeover. She looks formidable in deep blue and brandishing Hermione’s wand.
‘Being in full costume for the first time was stunning, because I went, “Ahhh there you are”,’ she reminisced fondly.
According to J.K. Rowling, Ron is still very much the Weasley we remember. She said: ‘Ron in his forties isn't very different from Ron in his teens, except that his feet hurt a bit more. Paul's so funny and brilliant in the role.’
And after years of complaining about his mother’s jumpers, it looks like Ron Weasley has finally warmed to them, if his costume is anything to go by.
‘We had to make it look as though he doesn’t really care what he wears in the morning,’ Paul Thornley said.
‘We wanted to find a jumper, that is definitely his favourite jumper, and that I think gets washed occasionally. He wants to essentially be comfortable at all times, hence comfortable cords, comfortable jumper, comfortable shoes. I don’t believe he’s a man who spends an awful lot of time shopping.’
With the three of them absolutely looking the part, the actors are now focused on the technical rehearsals but obviously remain tight-lipped on what is to come.
‘The technical rehearsal is where you put all the components together,’ Paul said. ‘All the lights, the sound, the magic – which I’m not going to tell you about – the illusions – which I’m not going to tell you about – and the costumes, and for us to find our places on the stage. We also try to all fit backstage and get the various scenery on and off without bumping into each other, which is sometimes successful.’
‘It’s just a real joy to watch everyone else’s work and to see all the elements of the show coming together, especially coming into the theatre.’ Cherrelle added. ‘It’s amazing to sit in the stalls and watch and it’s a blessing to know that I’m a part of this team.’
Noma added: ‘Every time I’m in the auditorium I turn around to people or say to myself, “I’m in that show, I’m in that show.” I want to see it so much. I am so proud that I am in it.’
https://www.pottermore.com/news/cursed-child-first-look-at-weasleys-in-character
Draco and Scorpius
Alex Price and Anthony Boyle will play Draco and Scorpius Malfoy in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child Parts One and Two, and J.K. Rowling teases that Scorpius will ‘do nothing to turn girls off the Malfoy men.’
We’re only days away from the first preview of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child Parts One and Two and we now know who will be playing Draco and Scorpius Malfoy – and what their characters look like in costume.
Here we see Malfoy father and son: Alex Price as Harry’s former school nemesis Draco Malfoy, and Anthony Boyle in the role of his son, Scorpius.
Alex Price is no stranger to otherworldly television dramas, having previously appeared in television dramas Merlin, Penny Dreadful and Doctor Who. He is also a prominent force in the theatre, with credits including 3 Winters, Birdland and Before the Party.
Belfast-based actor Anthony Boyle was trained at the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama, and has appeared in productions including Herons and East Belfast Boy, the latter of which he co-wrote.
As Scorpius Malfoy, Anthony looks the spitting image of his stage dad. J.K. Rowling said: ‘I love Draco and Scorpius – they actually look related!’
The transformation also presented another challenge for Anthony – going blond.
‘It was such a game changer,’ Anthony said of his new look. ‘As soon as I saw it, it was like, “Okay, I’m playing Scorpius Malfoy – this is real now.” That was such a big moment.’
Just like Albus Severus Potter and Rose Granger-Weasley, Scorpius will wear the Hogwarts uniform during Cursed Child, with a typical Malfoy twist.
‘He’s wearing the official Hogwarts uniform before you go and get sorted into your house. He’s a Malfoy so his clothes should be really expensive but quite constraining to make him feel a bit awkward.’
J.K. Rowling also teased that Scorpius might be a hit with the ladies. She said: ‘I've got a feeling Scorpius is going to do nothing to turn girls off the Malfoy men.’
When asked how he worked on making Draco’s character his own, Alex Price said the script gave him everything he needed.
‘Jack Thorne’s script. Start right there,’ Alex said. ‘And there’s obviously a massive history of books to draw on. You could tie yourself in knots worrying about it. But our first job is to serve this play and J.K. Rowling’s characters as best we can.'
The actor also touched on the pressure behind being part of such a huge production.
‘The world outside has been brilliantly marshalled and been kept away from us by our producers. It’s only slowly starting to rear its head now and it’s intimidating, a little scary, but also very exciting because Jack is such a brilliant writer and he’s taken the story into a great place 19 years later, particularly for Draco.’
‘You can just feel the excitement in the building,’ Anthony added. ‘We’ve been in the Palace Theatre for over four weeks now which is where we can do all the things you couldn’t do in the rehearsal room. We just can’t wait to show it to everyone.’
We can’t wait to find out what Draco and Scorpius Malfoy do next.
https://www.pottermore.com/news/cursed-child-first-look-at-malfoys-in-character