The production, which is already sold out for many months into its run, will begin performances June 7, 2016 prior to an official opening July 30 at the Palace Theatre.
Jamie Parker, currently leading the cast of Guys and Dolls as Sky Masterson, will play Harry Potter, with Noma Dumezweni (currently in Linda at the Royal Court) as Hermione and Paul Thornley as Ron, leading a cast of more than 30, the rest of whom are yet to be announced. The play, which is presented in two parts, finds them now as adults. While Harry grapples with a past that refuses to stay where it belongs, his youngest son Albus must struggle with the weight of a family legacy he never wanted.
In a press statement, J.K. Rowling, who has co-created the original new story with playwright Jack Thorne (who has written the play) and John Tiffany (who will direct it), has commented, "I'm so excited with the choice of casting for Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. I can't wait to see Jamie, Noma and Paul bring the adult Harry, Hermione and Ron to life on stage next summer."
Parker, who was part of the original cast of Alan Bennett's The History Boys at the National Theatre and subsequently on Broadway and its film version, has also been seen recently on the London stage in High Society at the Old Vic and Assassins at the Menier Chocolate Factory. He has also appeared regularly at Shakespeare's Globe, including starring roles in Henry V, Henry IV Parts One and Two, A New World and As You Like It.
Dumezweni is an Olivier winner for A Raisin in the Sun (Young Vic at Lyric Hammersmith) and has appeared in the West End in Six Characters in Search of an Author (transferred from Chichester). Her RSC credits include Breakfast with Mugabe, The Winter's Tale and Romeo and Juliet, and for the National she has appeared in President of an Empty Room and The Hour We Knew Nothing of Each Other. She starred in A Human Being Died That Night at London's Hampstead Theatre and subsequently in Johannesburg and at New York's BAM. Thornley was an original cast member of the National's London Road as well sits subsequent film version. West End credits include A Chorus of Disapproval and Noises Off (transferred from the National, where he has also appeared in The Miracle). He also appeared in Private Fears in Public Places at Scarborough's Stephen Joseph Theatre, London's Orange Tree and New York's 59E59 Theaters.
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is produced by Sonia Friedman Productions, Colin Callender’s Playground Entertainment and Harry Potter Theatrical Productions. It will be directed by John Tiffany with movement by Steven Hoggett, set designs by Christine Jones, costumes by Katrina Lindsay, music by Imogen Heap, lighting by Neil Austin, sound by Gareth Fry, special effects by Jeremy Chernick, illusions by Jamie Harrison and music supervision by Martin Lowe.
To book tickets and for full performance schedules, visit www.HarryPotterthePlay.com
