the theatre

Here Are the Opening-Night Audience Reactions to Harry Potter and the Cursed Child

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Photo: Ben A. Pruchnie/Getty Images

After years of waiting, a new Harry Potter tale has finally made its public debut, as the play Harry Potter and the Cursed Child — which picks up 19 years after the events of Deathly Hallows — opened in London’s West End Tuesday night. Guaranteed to be the hottest ticket in town — it’s London’s Hamilton, basically — the play will be going through a few weeks of previews before its official opening, on July 30. If you’re eager to find out the reactions from the lucky opening-night spectators, we’ve compiled a brief roundup of various responses from social media, below. If you would prefer the play to remain shrouded in absolute secrecy, break out your Time-Turner and attempt to never open this page … or maybe just don’t read any further. (Per J.K. Rowling’s #KeepTheSecrets request, this post is free of plot spoilers for the play.)

The ambiance, in and around the theater.

The reactions from theater-goers.

The owls!

Sounds like … a magical night.

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child: The Reactions