Dubai: Yvette Judge is a huge fan of Harry Potter. The assistant director of the Emirates Literature Foundation told XPRESS she has already pre-ordered her copy of the newest release Harry Potter and The Cursed Child, but is very disappointed not have been able to get tickets for the play.
Even going by the typical hoopla surrounding a Harry Potter book, there’s something about this latest production that makes its launch on July 31 – which happens to be Harry Potter’s 36th birthday – unprecedented. As Judge points out, “There are no pre-release copies of the book, they are under strict embargo and news on the stage production has been drip-fed through to keep the excitement going.”
Promos for the post-midnight UAE launch of the book at Virgin Megastore in the Mall of the Emirates have amply set the tone. “Expect wizards & witches, spells & potions and a magical night of all things Hogwarts!” says the event’s Facebook page. The invites are equally intriguing as they beckon audiences to “join us in store for the late night launch of the book and Harry Potter’s 36 birthday! 1.30am to 4.30am on Sunday, July 31. Get your hands on the newest book at the same time as the rest of the world. Dressing up (in Harry Potter costumes) is highly encouraged.”
The fuss, it appears, is not without reason.
“Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is the eighth story in the Harry Potter series, and is the first official Harry Potter story to be presented on stage. Using the hashtag #keepthesecrets, author J.K. Rowling is asking fans to preserve the magic of the stories and let audiences and readers enjoy Harry Potter and the Cursed Child with all the surprises that have been built into the story. As faithful followers, we won’t want to reveal what wonderful things are in store,” explains Judge.
Suffice it to say, however, that Harry is an employee of the Ministry of Magic, has a wife and three children – including Albus, the youngest, who could be playing a crucial part in the story. Now, that’s quite a transformation, as it presents for the first time, not just a grown-up Harry, but a fast-forwarded, full-fledged family man.
“The magic will be there for all Harry Potter fans, those who are now adults who enjoyed the stories when they first came out, as well as for those experiencing the world of muggles and wizards for the first time,” says Judge. “We are looking at the characters we know as adults – Ron Weasley, for example, is running a joke shop as well as dealing with his own children – and I suspect that it is this second generation who will be key figures in the story.”
Notwithstanding the buzz around the big day, there seems to be some confusion, among the not-so-staunch fans about the whether Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is a novel or a play or both?
Two parts
“Harry Potter and The Cursed Child is a play based on an original new story by J.K. Rowling, Jack Thorne and John Tiffany. Thorne is the writer, Tiffany is the director and the story is a result of collaboration between them and J.K. Rowling,” says Judge. “It is presented in two parts, which are intended to be seen in order on the same day or on two consecutive evenings. July 30 is the official opening in London, with two public previews the next day. At midnight following those opening night performances, the Special Rehearsal Edition Script will be available to buy.”
She says all over the world, when previous Harry Potter books were published, there were great celebrations and queues to buy the latest story. “It would be tremendous to recapture this joy and enthusiasm for the written word and celebrate not just the latest book, but also Harry’s 36th birthday! I hope that people will be in costume and have a brilliant time in many places.”
The release has an added significance in the UAE, coming as it does in the Year of Reading. “The Harry Potter series has encouraged so many people – adults as well as children – to realise the of a brilliantly crafted story. Their popularity has led to huge awareness of the power and magic of the written word, and created so many readers. The characters are recognisable to young readers, they do things wrong, they get into trouble, they are brave but also sometimes scared; and yet they are not the same, they exist in a magical world and thoughts, feelings and emotions can be explored at one remove, in a safe environment. Who wouldn’t want to be with Harry, Hermione and Ron on their journey?” asks Judge.
She says Harry has a huge number of fans in the UAE. “When the Emirates Literature Foundation and Emirates Airline Festival of Literature ran events to celebrate Harry Potter, we were inundated with requests to join us.”
Post-midnight Gala
What: Release of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child
When: July 31, 1.30 am to 4.30am
Where: Virgin megastore, Mall of the Emirates
Who: Invitees
How: In Harry Potter Costumes
The Harry Potter Fantasy Series
1997: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone
1998: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
1999: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
2000; Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
2003: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
2005: Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
2007: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
2016: Harry Potter and the Cursed Child
