Harry Potter and the Cursed Child review embargo breached by national press

The Mirror and The Telegraph have run reviews of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, despite the show not opening officially until the end of July.

Both newspapers appeared to have breached review protocol as the production presented its first preview on June 7. Both reviews avoid detail, and instead keep the information general.

This follows a similar breach of embargo for Benedict Cumberbatch’s Hamlet, which drew criticism from the industry.

The Mirror awards the show five stars, and states: “The special effects produce truly magical moments and it is easy to forget you’re just a muggle.”

The Telegraph, meanwhile, writes: “The stage set by Christine Jones is one vast, unchanging gothic arched hallway, which, with atmospheric lighting effects by Neil Austin, serves as the platforms of King’s Cross Station, the vast hall of Hogwarts, the echoing corridors of the Ministry of Magic and the myriad other locations of the play.”

It adds: “The director John Tiffany uses the actors to create simple imaginative settings out of the old-fashioned travelling trunks which strew the stage. Mixed in with this simplicity, though, is trickery of the highest sophistication.”

Keep the Secrets

JK Rowling has previously urged audiences not to give away details of the show. Audience members are given badges at the end of the play telling them to keep the secrets.

However, Daily Mail writer Baz Bamigboye came under fire on Twitter after he revealed there were live owls in the show.

.@BazBam I know your industry is on its arse but you should try and retain some journalistic integrity and respect the embargo

— E.M.M.A. (@oiiiemma) June 7, 2016

@BazBam @HPPlayLDN Did you not see the #KeepTheSecrets? If I was going I’d want that to be a surprise

— Aspiring_Thespian (@jacobjb251) June 7, 2016

Security checks

As the first preview opened, hundreds of theatregoers queued around the theatre to allow for the recommended 60 minutes to get through security. Audience members had their bags searched. But the producers insisted this was not about checking for recording materials, and was about the safety of patrons.

Fans review

Audience members came from abroad to see the show. One theatregoer who spoke to The Stage had travelled all the way from Oregon in the US.

Writing on Twitter, audience members gave their reactions to the play:

All I will say is that was potentially the best thing I have ever seen… @HPPlayLDN #CursedChild #KeepTheSecrets pic.twitter.com/dbh37nKo2n

— Fraser Maxwell (@fjmaxwell) June 7, 2016

@jk_rowling @HPPlayLDN GASP GASP GASP GASP!!!
The fans will LOVE it!!
This just raised the bar for the Whole West End #KeepTheSecrets

— Karl Booton (@karlbooton) June 7, 2016