J.K. Rowling Plans 'Harry Potter and the Cursed Child' Play for 2016

Those who identify as part of Harry Potter fandom refuse to truly say goodbye to the seven-novel series and its eight-film adaptations since the last installment, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2, was released in 2011. There's good news for witches, wizards and muggles alike--you won't have to live without it much longer. J.K. Rowling is continuing the chronicles of the boy who lived in the form of a play titled Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.

This autumn will bring the debut of the Harry Potter stage production with a premiere at London's Palace Theatre in the summer of 2016, notes the Hollywood Reporter. The author of the eminent cult book series took to Twitter on Friday, the 18th anniversary of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, to announce the news of her collaboration with director John Tiffany, producer Sonia Friedman and writer Jack Thorne. "I don't want to say too much more, because I don't want to spoil what I know will be a real treat for fans," she tweeted. "However, I can say that it is not a prequel!"

Rowling continued to detail her decision to switch her magical medium from a printed page to an open stage. "To answer one inevitable (and reasonable!) question - why isn't #CursedChild a new novel?" she said. "I am confident that when audiences see the play they will agree that it was the only proper medium for the story. I've had countless offers to extend Harry's story over the years, but Jack, John and Sonia Friedman are a dream team! It has been a huge pleasure to share with them (and soon, with you!) this untold part of Harry's story." The 49-year-old author posted news to her official website as well.

One particular site, HarryPottertoPlayLondon.com, is dedicated to information about the project, noting that Cursed Child will contain music by Imogene Heap, set design by Christine Jones, lighting by Neil Austin, costumes by Katrina Lindsay, special effects by Jeremy Chernick, sound by Gareth Gry and "movement" by Steven Hoggett. Further details concerning casting have not been released.

The Palace Theatre official site informs visitors that the play will "explore the backstory leading up to Harry's parents' untimely death at the hands of Lord Voldemort."

Tags

J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter