"The best thing I've ever witnessed" - spoiler-free reactions to Harry Potter and the Cursed Child

It's not often we write about theatre on 12DOVE. Ok, I can't actually say with any confidence that it has EVER happened before, but Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is the exception because, you know, it's Harry Potter. 

The play is set 19 years after the events of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows where Harry, Ron, and Hermione are all grown up and have kids of their own. Very little else is known about the plot and that's the way JK Rowling wants to keep it. You can't get your hands on a ticket for a Golden Snitch right now, but a lucky few were invited to a preview screening in the London this week.

Instead of trying to sneak in - we don't think that would have gone so well - we've scoured the internet for all the best reactions from the preview. Don't worry though, this is a spoiler free round-up so we're keeping the secrets.

Below you'll find excerpts from a couple of official reviews (two particular newspapers have broken the embargo already - naughty, naughty!), and tweets from fans and critics alike who were lucky enough to see it. All I'd say is that one photo does show what the opening stage (minus any actors) looks like so if you REALLY want to see and know nothing, maybe don't scroll down. 

For the rest of you who won't be going to see Harry Potter and the Cursed Child any time soon, read on and enjoy. 

The Telegraph

"Objects seemed to disappear before our eyes and characters appeared as if from nowhere. Scriptwriters have been generous with their Potter in-jokes, with the return of so me old favourite characters and enough shock plot twists to cause pantomime gasps from the audience. The audience came wanting magic and they got in spades. But for all the laughs and tricks, this story also promises to be a thriller. Has Rowling done it again? The audience was in no doubt."

The Mirror

"One swish of a wizard’s cape was all it took to transport a theatre full of muggles into the magical world of Harry Potter. Spells and hexes combined with laughs and drama mean Harry Potter and the Cursed Child will be every bit the hit everyone expects."

Adding: 

"The extraordinary world she [JK Rowling] brought to life in the best selling books and hit films is evident in every scene on stage too. But this is a show you don’t need to be a Harry Potter aficionado to enjoy. Yes, of course, there are dozens of in-jokes and nods for the super fans. But even a complete Potter novice who doesn’t know their Expelliarmus spell from their Hogwarts house could enjoy every minute of the show."

Twitter

Looks like JK Rowling is happy...