Script Review: Harry Potter and the Cursed Child

Ian Cai Mercer reviews the script of the sequel to JK Rowling’s much-loved novels

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child
Written by Jack Thorne; based on an original new story by Jack Thorne, JK Rowling and John Tiffany

Note: This publication is the rehearsal edition script, and not a novelisation of the play.

I thought that this would be disappointing. I was wrong. When I heard the story would be presented in play format, rather than as a proper novel like the other Harry Potter books, I thought it would be a bit of a let-down. Thankfully, I was rather pleasantly surprised by how quickly I read through it.

It’s still a chunky hardback – one of those brick-like books that could come in handy for self-defence, maybe – but it launches straight away with a slight re-tweaking of the final chapter from Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child It is 19 years after the Battle for Hogwarts and the fall of Voldemort. All the characters have children of their own now, and the central character is young Albus Severus Potter.

This is, quite simply, Hogwarts the Next Generation. Albus and Scorpius embark on an adventure with terrifying consequences.

As a sequel to the original series, it is great to see how the characters have matured – or not, in Ron’s case! The themes of friendship, bravery, loyalty and overcoming evil permeate the script. It’s a great continuation of the saga, and I hope to see more at some point.