Harry Potter and the Very Expensive Theatre Trip
So it was recently announced that Harry Potter and the Cursed Child will be playing in London next summer, I know that was announced a while ago but in my excitement about the new news (it being the ‘eighth Harry Potter book’). I forgot one important thing. Harry Potter is a global phenomena and not everybody can afford to go see this play.
Which I think is really unfair. Going to London is expensive. I live in Scotland and going to London is expensive for me. I am very fortunate that my dad currently owns a flat close enough to London that I will be able to go see this play next year. But not everyone is as lucky as I am.
As much as I wish this new story would have been released as a book instead I can’t fault JK if she has decided that a play is the best way to tell this particular story. I love theatre and I know it is massively different way of storytelling. But I still can’t help but feel that theatre possibly isn’t the best way to tell this story, especially since this particular story is being told in two parts (necessitating the purchase of two tickets for each person). Maybe at some point in the future they will release a book version of the play, maybe they might even turn the play into a film (possibly bringing back the original HP cast?).
I don’t know. I just really hope JK knows what she is doing.
29 Comments
Alice
I agree. We are on the USA East Coast and flying over is very costly. We do want to see the play but it just may not happen.
bluchickenninja
Maybe at some point it will move to Broadway, but still it’s a little unfair for all the Potter fans not in the UK.
jessicacrafts
I’m rather annoyed about it being a play. I’m sure soon it will be other places but London. And maybe they will do a showing of the play in cinemas near the end of the run (in a couple years) but it really is the most inaccessible medium for most people. I would live in London but still not be able to go to the theatre for health reasons. A book or a film can be enjoyed by anyone at home.
bluchickenninja
I imagine it might be turned into a movie at some point, I know of other plays that have been turned into movies. But considering the popularity of Harry Potter I don’t understand why JK has decided it should be a play first. It’s a shame you won’t be able to see it but I’m almost certain someone will take a video camera in and film the whole thing.
Judy M. Goodman
Life isn’t fair for a reason! Especially in the literary and political worlds, the inequities are meant to challenge us to fill in the gaps. We will always need great new writers — one of which, I believe, Bluechickenninja is on the road to becoming. Wonderful Start!
princessyarn
If the play is successful (which I am pretty sure it will be), since the story already exists, I bet (and I hope) they will release the book! Harry Potter is not only one of the greatest story, it is also a huge business! I don’t know one person who read the series who would not buy the book to discover the new adventures of Harry Potter’s heroes!
bluchickenninja
I’m almost certain the play will be a success (I’ve already signed up to buy tickets early!). I just hope they do release a book or something with it for the people who can’t get to London.
princessyarn
Fingers and wands crossed 😉
Haylee
They’ve split the play in two? I admit I’ve not read much about this, but that part seems especially money grabbing and unfair, if it’s been done like the films (I never was truly on board them splitting the cinematic versions). That said, I would like to see it, but I’ll wait to see if it comes closer to home, which it most likely will as it will be a massive success, for better or worse.
bluchickenninja
Yup the play has been split in two, I quite like how they have done the split, you can go see both parts on the same day (so essentially its an extra long interval). But it does feel like they are trying to get more money from people. Also the tickets go up to £65 for one play (£130 for both) which is kind of ridiculous.
Haylee
That’s steep, although if you can view in the same day, perhaps not as bad. At least it keeps down travel and accommodation costs I suppose! I might drop a few Christmas list hints 😉
bluchickenninja
Yeah, it’s quite good they are showing both parts on the same day.
Chow Kim Wan
The play is kinda too long, so they have to split it into two. It is to allow audiences to see the first and second halves on two different days. I don’t really see it as a means of getting more money from people though… It is normal for a West End show to hit £65 for a two-hour show.
Haylee
Hmm, but this is essentially half a show so tickets should maybe be cheaper to make it more accessible in its entirety. Plus, having it spread over two days adds to the costs for anyone who isn’t local. It’s a novel (!) idea as a different medium but I do think she should have written something that was of a length (even if slightly longer than the average play) to allow delivery in one session. As I’ve said, it will still be a sell out, regardless of people’s views!
Yvane
Agreed…
I’m hoping they would release some sort of a recorded version of the play. You know, for some of us who can’t afford to fly to London.
bluchickenninja
Even if there isn’t an official recording someone might film the play. Though you really aren’t supposed to do that!
Luna Cooler
It’s kinda cool, but might this play be fan service (the play is only there to appease the fans)? :O
bluchickenninja
Or just a way to make money! I dunno, I’ve always said I didn’t care what JK did so long as she wrote more in the Harry Potter universe. I just hope there is a story to tell and it’s not about the money.
Amy
I was so disappointed when they said that the play was only happening in London. Me and my sister are planning a holiday and we were thinking about changing the dates we go just so we could go to it! I also have no clue why J.K would think the best medium for a HP instalment would be a play instead of a book?? That just kind of baffles me! I really hope they film the play and then everyone can buy the film of it.
Chow Kim Wan
I happen to be in London during its previews! (I am there primarily to watch musicals, but this seems like something I do not want to miss.)
Aimer Boyz
Thanks for passing this on. I had not heard about the play. I’m curious as to why J.K. decided to go this route but hey, any reason to go to London…Yes 🙂
reesertshadow
Ah, I rather enjoyed the title of your post. It’s so true!
bluchickenninja
Thanks 🙂
resili0
I agree. I love to go to the theatre but I can only afford to go on cut price tickets at matinee in the afternoons. Travelling to London is expensive and there is little hope it will be much cheaper in ticket price as it comes north, we are in Yorkshire and even Leeds Grand can be pricey.
bluchickenninja
Yeah, even in Edinburgh it’s getting expensive. I tried to get tickets for Hairspray and the entire balcony section was closed for some reason. Meaning I would have to pay £30 for a ticket!
Magpiemakingdo
I was so disappointed when they announced it would be a play. I love theatre, but idk, a book is an entirely different experience and I think Harry Potter for me will always be best in book form. Plus yea, I’m not able to pay for theatre tickets, never mind a trans-continental flight!
bluchickenninja
Yeah its expensive. I got tickets today, £60 for my sister and I and those were for the cheapest seats! We now need to go get a hotel in London which isn’t cheap.
As much as I am excited to see the play I really want them to release a book or something too.
olderthanieverintendedtobe
I live in London and have not as yet been able to get tickets but actually you can and friends did get £30 tickets which for the West End is frankly a bargain. I don’t know if I’ll manage to get tickets or not but I dot think it’s appropriate to blame JK Rowling for choosing a new story telling method. With luck they will go for the film it and show it in cinemas worldwide option at some point.
Life is not and never has been fair. I would like to see it and if I can get a ticket I will do so but it won’t be Rowling’s fault if I can’t.
bluchickenninja
Yeah I did get tickets, it was £60 in total for two of us. You’re right, £15 a ticket is really good. Its just the other stuff that comes with it, staying in a hotel in London isn’t cheap and we need to get there too. I don’t mind it being made into a play, I just don’t think it’s the most accessible way of telling this particular story.