The only thing we had to fight over was who got the chance to read it first!
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Line up, Potterheads! Harry Potter fans around the world lined up at their local bookstores to celebrate the midnight release of the beloved series’ eighth book, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, on Sunday, July 31.
Around 700 witches, wizards and magical creatures queued outside Waterstones in Piccadilly, central London, ahead of the midnight launch.
While it may not be a full-blown novel, or even written by J.K. Rowling (though she contributed to the story, the script is penned by playwright Jack Thorne), that didn’t stop the fans from turning out in droves.
Four floors were transformed into a Harry Potter haven, with interactive activities on each level and a 10ft winged nest welcoming fans at the entrance.
Younger guests took part in several competitive quidditch matches, while others browsed the shops in a makeshift magic village on the first floor.
At Books-A-Million in South Portland, over 100 people dressed up in their craziest Harry Potter costumes. “So, I’m thrilled to see it realised so beautifully but, no, Harry is done now”.
“I’ve read all the books and watched all the movies”, she said.
The all-day event saw part one of the production staged in the afternoon, followed by part two in the evening, completing the story, which is set 19 years after the events of the seventh and final book, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.
The play – which opened Saturday at London’s Palace Theatre – is receiving equal enthusiasm.
“I probably won’t get any sleep tonight because I will be reading it”.
“I’d like as many Potter fans to see it as possible”, Rowling said on the red carpet before the show, as fans cheered and poked camera phones over crowd barriers in hope of getting a picture.
As the play opened following almost eight weeks of previews, it drew whoops, applause and gasps of shock from the audience as magic appeared to unfold on-stage. It concerns a now adult Harry and his relationship with his youngest son.
Featuring plenty of twists and surprises, audience members were handed #KeepTheSecrets badges on their way out.
“It’s fantastic. I brought them along today because Lauren was only five months old when the last book was released and I wanted them to experience the excitement of the book launch”, she said.
The plot is a rollicking adventure in which Albus’ attempt to right a wrong goes awry.
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Daily Telegraph critic Dominic Cavendish said “British theatre hasn’t known anything like it for decades”.
