It’s officially the eighth Harry Potter story
Harry’s name in the title is the giveaway that Mr. Potter is in this play. It’s an official new story that picks up where the Deathly Hallows epilogue left off. Harry is an overworked Ministry of Magic employee, as well as a husband and father. The play will explore how Harry wrestles with his past and how his youngest son, Albus Severus, deals with the heavy burden of the family legacy. Now that does sound epic. This is also the very first time an official Harry Potter story has been presented on stage.

Told in two epic parts
J.K. Rowling announced on Twitter that: ‘Due to the epic nature of the story we’ve been working on, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child will be in two parts!’

Logistically, that means you could see Part One as a matinee and Part Two in the evening or see them on separate nights in the same week. We’ve created this handy visual guide to getting tickets if you need it.

We will absolutely bring you more details and further updates – just don’t ask if it’s a prequel because...

It’s definitely not a prequel. Really, truly, absolutely not even a little bit a prequel
J.K. Rowling did mention that a few times on Twitter...

NOT a prequel. Not. A. Prequel. #CursedChild https://t.co/OLAucrEppE

— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) June 27, 2015

I can't remember whether I've mentioned this, but Harry Potter & the #CursedChild isn't a prequel.

— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) June 27, 2015

IT'S NOT A... oh, will someone else please take over? https://t.co/nXT82YF1xa

— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) June 27, 2015

John Tiffany and Jack Thorne collaborated with J.K. Rowling on the story
They are two of the most brilliant creative minds working in theatre today. They’re accomplished, experienced, exceptionally creative and completely dedicated to the integrity of Harry Potter’s world. Jack and John collaborated on the story, Jack wrote the script and John is directing the play.

Jack has a couple of BAFTAs on his mantelpiece and a fabulous string of credits including Skins and Shameless on the telly, Hope and Let the Right One In in theatre, and War Book and A Long Way Down in film. He’s also a huge Harry Potter fan.

John Tiffany directed the globally celebrated productions of Once and Black Watch. At the National Theatre of Scotland, he directed productions of Peter Pan, Macbeth, The Bacchae and Let the Right One In. He’s won a Tony, Olivier, Obie and Drama Desk Award for his work, so it’s safe to say the man is very, very good at his job.

The creative team is a Who’s Who of British Theatre
Excessively talented Steven Hoggett, who worked on The Twits, Black Watch and Close to You, is in charge of movement. Christine Jones, who has worked extensively on Broadway and the West End, will be creating the set designs while designer Katrina Lindsay (Bend It Like Beckham, American Psycho) is working on costumes.

British recording artist and Ivor Novello-winner Imogen Heap is to compose the score. She’s an innovative solo artist and is also known as half of the beautiful music duo Frou Frou.

Lighting design is by Neil Austin, sound by Gareth Fry with special effects by Jeremy Chernick, illusions by Jamie Harrison and musical supervision by Martin Lowe.

The venue is the Palace Theatre in London’s West End
The world premiere of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is at the Palace Theatre in London’s West End next summer.

If you look the Palace up on a map, you’ll notice it’s at the intersection of Shaftesbury Avenue and Charing Cross Road in London. It’s on the latter street that you can find The Leaky Cauldron in the Harry Potter stories, which is obviously perfect.

Next summer
That’s English summer, 2016.

Visit the stage play website for more
Information about Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is available at the stage play website.

Want to know more? Read part one of the Pottermore Correspondent’s interview with the director John Tiffany and playwright Jack Thorne. Part two can be read here.