By Martina Hafner
Almost six hours of theater have now turned into four: In February 2023, the short version of JK Rowling’s “Harry Potter and the Enchanted Child” premiered in Hamburg’s Theater am Großmarkt, and a Berliner also played!
Maybe six hours in the auditorium was too much for the young visitors. JK Rowling’s “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child”, which premiered in December 2021, has now been released in a shortened new edition at the Theater am Großmarkt. Berlin’s Sebastian Witt (33) played a leading role, namely that of Ron Weasley.
First of all: In the almost four-hour new version (director: John Tiffany), one magical effect follows the next, people rush through burning chimneys, emerge from the water basin, chairs float, magic wands shoot flames. Much to the amusement of the audience, who were often dressed appropriately. Even some parents wore capes, ties and shirts from the famous Hogwarts school from the Potter books and films like their offspring at the premiere on February 19, 2023.
But the real success of the evening lies in the story: The three wizard friends Harry Potter (Markus Schöttl), Hermine Granger (Zodwa Selele) and Ron Weasley (Sebastian Witt) are now grown up and have children of their own. The problem: Harry’s son Albus (Vincent Lang) just befriends the son of his archenemy, namely Scorpius Malfoy (terrific: Hardy Punzel).
Sebastian Witt (front right) from Berlin as Ron Weasley enchanted the audience Photo: Martina Hafner
When the two fall into each other’s arms against all resistance from parents, teachers, burgeoning dark powers and all possible entanglements, there is spontaneous applause from the scene. Likewise with the numerous funny, quite modern dialogues. Father Harry wants to go for a walk with his son for a clarifying conversation? The children shake themselves in proper style and laugh their heads off. The debates of the clumsy Ron Weasley and the incorrigible Hermione also received a lot of support from the audience.
Not much is lost from the story, especially the first years of the second Potter generation at Hogwarts School are tightly shortened, but real fans of the wizard series know them almost by heart anyway.
Still impressive: the many things that fly across the stage, from ghostly dementors, floating actors, dancing furniture to letter owls. You never, really never see any ropes or brackets. This also creates many wow effects. Conclusion: A must for Harry Potter fans. And parents won’t be bored, if you don’t let yourself be enchanted here, it’s your own fault!
Wednesdays 6.30 p.m., Thu-Sat 7.30 p.m., Sat also 1.30 p.m., Sun 1 p.m. and 7 p.m., Theater am Großmarkt, Banksstr. 28, Hamburg, tickets from 59.90 euros, ☎ 01806 / 934 934