Chloe Newman

I read the play script back in 2016 and couldn’t really remember it. I saw the play at the Palace Theatre today. It was good overall. The special effects were excellent and lighting, sound, props and special effects created some very tense moments, which was exciting. The manner in which the dementors were created was excellent and this was my favourite element of the play. Sometimes you could see the people behind the ‘floating’ props for example and that’s okay. The acting was very mixed. Some characterisations were excellent and charming, such as Scorpius Malfoy, McGonagall, Moaning Myrtle, Ginny Weasley, Dumbledore, Snape and Hagrid. The others were average and the portrayal of Rose was screechy and one note, she wasn’t enjoyable to watch. The portrayal of Delphini was disappointing, could have done a lot more with the acting. There are plot holes in the story and some of it doesn’t necessarily add up but I’m not so fussed by this. For example, I can’t imagine Voldemort would have a child and if he did have a child I couldn’t have imaged her to be the way she was. The actual theatre itself is beautiful on the outside but impractical on the inside. We sat in the Balcony and it was excruciatingly uncomfortable. We didn’t have an impaired view but the seats ruined the experience. We are only 5ft 6 and 5ft 7 but it was very tight and claustrophobic. Your knees and legs are cramped into the seat in front of you and it’s painful. After Act 1, we couldn’t take it any longer and asked to move due to this and the impact on one of our physical health needs. The staff were pleasant and supportive and managed to move us to an alternative seat with better leg room. This was appreciated so we could stay and finish the play. We wouldn’t have done so otherwise. If you’re tall don’t book the balcony as it’ll be a very painful experience.