The record-breaking Harry Potter and the Cursed Child plays at the Palace Theatre

"it’s quite something to behold"

"it grips, it stirs, it delights"

"a thrilling theatrical endeavour"

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Harry Potter and the Cursed Child

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is the multi-award-winning eighth instalment of the beloved Harry Potter series, imagined by Jack Thorne, John Tiffany and J.K Rowling. Following Harry as he balances his Ministry of Magic job with being a husband and father of three, we see his youngest son Albus struggle with the legacy of the Potter name. Soon, both father and son discover that darkness can come from the most unexpected of places. Harry Potter and the Cursed Child reunites Jack Thorne, John Tiffany and movement director Steven Hoggett, who achieved great success with Let the Right One In. Starring David Ricardo-Pearce as Harry, Thomas Aldridge as Ron and Jade Ogugua as Hermione, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child features a dazzling set by Christine Jones and breath-taking, magical special effects from Jeremy Chernick. The theatrical event of the West End, you cannot miss out!

Show Times

Booking From: 24 March 2021
Booking Until: 7 April 2025
Running Time: Part One - 2 hours and 40 minutes (with 20-minute interval); Part Two - 2 hours and 35 minutes (with 20-minute interval)
Age Restrictions: Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is suitable for ages 10 and up. Babes in arms will not be admitted into the theatre.

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Video Show Times

About the Palace Theatre

The Palace Theatre is one of the most noticeable and iconic in the West End. Located on Cambridge Circus and occupying the corner of Charing Cross Road and Shaftesbury Avenue, near a major pedestrian crossing, the spectacular frontage is passed by many thousands of visitors to London every day. Since 2016 the famous Palace Frontage has been dominated by the now iconic branding for Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, the two part staged sequel to the phenomenally successful books and films.

The Palace Theatre first opened in 1891 as the Royal English Opera House. Shortly after it was converted into a music hall and renamed the Palace Theatre of Varieties, which showcased a mix of entertainment including early film screenings. In 1991, under new owner Andrew Lloyd Webber, it was refurbished and has since hosted major productions such as Spamalot, Singin' in the Rain and Priscilla Queen of the Desert.

Palace Theatre History and Timeline

Harry Potter return and initial casting announced

2021-07-06

After a prolonged closure due to the Coronavirus pandemic, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child announces it will return to the West End on 14th October 2021. Initial casting is revealed to include returning actors Jamie Ballard as Harry Potter and Susie Trayling as Ginny Potter.

Another booking extension

2017-12-06

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child extends their booking into 2019 with the release of tickets for 24 October 2018 to 13 January 2019. Though these sell out quickly, it’s possible to purchased returned tickets daily.

Danny at the Palace

1970-04-06

Danny at the Palace, Danny La Rue’s revue, runs for two years.

The Marx Brothers

1922-01-01

The Marx Brothers perform excerpts from their shows to London audiences at the Palace.

The Palace Theatre opens as 'The Royal English Opera House'

1891-01-01

Commissioned by Richard D'Oyly Carte, the venue was designed by Thomas Edward Collcutt. The first production was Arthur Sullivans' 'Ivanhoe', which ran for 160 performances in a very elaborate production.

The theatre changes its name and becomes the Palace Theatre of Varieties

1892-01-01

The success as an opera house was short lived, and the theatre was renamed as it was converted into a Grand Music Hall. It began to host variety performances including the famous 'Palace Girls' that would appear to be nude throughout each show, and attract large crowds each night.

The theatre starts to show moving films

1897-01-01

To keep up with the changing face of entertainment, the Palace is used to screen filmed pictures, including news reels and war footage. This continued alongside the variety acts it had become famous for.

Programming shake-up

1904-01-01

Alfred Beyfus and associates purchase the theatre. Beyfus’ son, Alfred Butt, becomes the theatre manager. He introduced live dance and music programming.

The venue is renamed 'The Palace Theatre'

1911-01-01

As the venue takes on a new name, Herman Finck became musical director, and his orchestra are used to make many recordings. The Palace Girls become extremely popular, performing dances and even song and dance numbers. The venue was used in 1912 for a Royal Command Performance.

No No Nanette opens at the Palace

1925-03-11

Irving Caesar, Otto Harbach, and Vincent Youmans's musical comedy 'No, No, Nanette' opens at the Palace Theatre, where it went on to run for 665 performances. The original production starred Binnie Hale, Joseph Coyne and George Grossmith, Jr. and became a bigger hit in London than it did on Broadway. Based on the 1919 Broadway play 'My Lady Friends' the farce follows three couples in Atlantic City who find themselves in the middle of a blackmail scheme. Songs such as 'Peach on a Beach' and 'Too Many Rings Around Rosy' became contemporary classics.

Cole Porter' Gay Divorce opens at the Palace

1933-11-02

Gay Divorce features music and lyrics by Cole Porter, with a book by Dwight Taylor. It ran at the Palace Theatre for 180 performances, transferring from Broadway. This was Fred Astaire's last Broadway show, and he reprised his role in London, along with Olive Blakeney as Gertrude Howard, Claud Allister as Teddy, Joan Gardner as Barbara Wray and Fred Hearne as Octavius Mann. The production was directed by Felix Edwardes, and featured the hit song 'Night and Day'.

Finian's Rainbow

1947-10-21

Despite the success of the Broadway production of E.Y. Harburg and Burton Lane's fantasy musical, which ran for over 700 performances, the London production only managed 53. The production was directed by James Gelb and featured Beryl Kaye, Patrick J. Kelly, Beryl Seton and Alan Gilbert.

The Entertainer

1957-01-01

The Entertainer transfers from The Royal Court to the Palace, starring Laurence Olivier.

The Original London production of Flower Drum Song opens

1960-03-24

The Rodgers and Hammerstein musical 'Flower Drum Song' ran for 464 performances at the Palace Theatre. Directed by Gene Kelly, the production featured choreography by Carol Haney. The original cast included Ida Shepley, George Minami Jr, Kevin Scott, George Pastell and Tim Herbert. The London production used fewer Asian performers, but reused much of the Broadway production's set, costume and orchestrations.

The London premiere of The Sound of Music opens

1961-05-18

Following on from their earlier London's successes at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane, the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical 'The Sound of Music' had its London premiere at the Palace Theatre. Running for over 5 years, and 2,385 performances, the musical based on the story of the Von Trapp Family Singers delighted London audiences. The production was directed by Jerome Whyte with staging by Joe Layton. The cast included Jean Bayless as Maria, Constance Shacklock as Mother Abbess, Roger Dann as Captain Von Trapp, and Eunice Gayson as Elsa Schareder.

Cabaret opens

1968-02-26

The original London production of Kander and Ebb's 'Cabaret' opened in 1968, running for 336 performances. Hal Prince directed the production which also featured choreography by Ronald Field. The role of Sally Bowles was played by Judi Dench, and she was joined by Barry Dennen as the Emcee, Kevin Colson as Clifford Bradshaw, Lila Kedrova as Fraulein Schneider and Pamela Strong as Fraulein Kost. The production was well received, and went on to be turned into an Oscar winning film starring Liza Minelli.

Jesus Christ Superstar opens

1972-08-09

Following success in the USA and in the UK charts, Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's biblical epic burst onto the London stage in a spectacular production which ran for over 8 years. The show became the West End's longest running musical, with over 3,358 performances. The original production was directed by Jim Sharman with choreography by Rufus Collins. The role of Jesus was played by Paul Nicholas, with Dana Gillespie as Mary, Stephen Tate as Judas and John Parker as Pontius Pilate. Based on the last seven days of Jesus Christ's life, the show became an instant success and is now frequently revived around the world.

The London revival of Oklahoma! opens

1980-09-17

The first London revival of the Rodgers and Hammerstein classic ran for a year at the Palace Theatre. This new production was directed by James Hammerstein, and Gemze de Lappe restaged the original Agnes de Mille choreography, including the famous dream ballet. John Diedrich starred as Curly, alongside Rosamund Shelley as Laurey, Mark White as Will Parker, Alfred Molinda as Jud and Madge Ryan as Aunt Eller.

Andrew Lloyd Webber's Song and Dance opens

1982-04-07

Billed as 'a concert for the theatre', Song and Dance was quite literally a show of two halves. Marti Webb starred in the first half in a one woman musical (later expanded to become Tell Me On A Sunday) about looking for love in New York. Wayne Sleep then performed 'Variations' in the second act with dancers, in a piece that was originally written for Andrew's brother, the cellist Julian Lloyd Webber. The whole production was directed by John Caird, with choreography by Anthony Van Laast.

The original production of Les Miserables transfers from The Barbican

1985-12-04

After opening at the Barbican Theatre, the RSC's production of 'Les Miserables' defied critics and transferred to the Palace Theatre, where it remained for 19 years. It has since become the world's longest running musical, transferring to the Queen's Theatre in 2004 where it still continues to run to packed houses. The original production was directed by Trevor Nunn and John Caird, and featured Colm Wilkinson, Roger Allam, Patti LuPone, Alun Armstrong, Michael Ball and Frances Ruffelle.

Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Woman in White opens

2004-09-15

Following the transfer of 'Les Miserables' Andrew Lloyd Webber used the Palace Theatre to stage the suitably gothic world premiere of 'The Woman in White'. Based on Wilkie Collins's Victorian novel, this chamber musical was directed by Trevor Nunn and featured Maria Friedman, Jill Paice, Martin Crewes and Michael Crawford. Critics were not kind to the production, and cast illness and poor ticket sales meant it ran for just under 18 months.

Monty Python's Spamalot has it's London Premiere

2006-09-30

Following a successful run on Broadway, Monty Python's Spamalot arrived at the Palace Theatre in October 2006, where it ran for two and a half years. 'Lovingly ripped off' from Monty Python and the Holy Grail, this musical comedy was directed by Mike Nichols. The original London cast included Tim Curry, Christopher Sieber, Hannah Waddingham, David Birrell and Robert Hands. The production enjoyed good audiences and went on a successful UK tour, before reopening at the Playhouse Theatre in 2012.

Singin' in the Rain transfers from Chichester Festival Theatre

2012-02-04

The Chichester Festival Theatre continued their run of West End successes by transferring their hit production of 'Singin' in the Rain' to the Palace Theatre. Running for just under two years, the show delighted West End audiences and featured a spectacular rain sequence. Directed by Jonathan Church and featuring choreography by Andrew Wright, the Original London cast featured Adam Cooper, Daniel Crossley, Scarlett Strallen and Katherine Kingsley.

The Commitments Musical has its world premiere

2013-10-08

Roddy Doyle's The Commitments has its world premiere at the Palace Theatre. Directed by Jamie Lloyd, this brand new production is based on the successful novel and film of the same name.

Derren Brown Miracle opens

2015-11-11

Master of psychological illusions, Derren Brown returns to the Palace theatre with his seventh live show Miracle. Directed by Andy Nyman and Andrew O’Connor it promises to be his most philosophical show to date.

Eddie Izzard: Force Majeure Reloaded opens

2016-01-18

Eddie Izzard brings his new show Force Majeure: Reloaded to the Palace Theatre for a four week limited run. A revamp of a previous show, Izzard has including new jokes and anecdotes alongside his usual political jibes and historical deconstructions.

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child cast announced

2016-01-26

The full cast for Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is announced. Joining Jamie Parker, Noma Dumezweni and Paul Thornley are: Nicola Alexis, Helen Aluko, Jeremy Ang Jones, Rosemary Annabella, Annabel Baldwin, Jack Bennett, Paul Bentall, Anthony Boyle, Zoe Brough, Sam Clemmett, Morag Cross, Cristina Fray, Rudi Goodman, Claudia Grant, James Howard, Christiana Hutchings, Lowri James, Chris Jarman, Martin Johnston, Bili Keogh, Chipo Kureya, James Le Lacheur, Helena Lymbery, Barry McCarthy, Sandy McDade, Andrew McDonald, Tom Mackley, Adam McNamara, Poppy Miller, Tom Milligan, Jack North, Alex Price, Stuart Ramsay, Nuno Silva, Cherrelle Skeete, Esther Smith, Nathaniel Smith, Dylan Standen and Joshua Wyatt.

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child opens

2016-06-07

One of the highest profile plays to ever open in the West End, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child sold 175,000 tickets within 8 hours of going on sale. The show is a sequel to the seventh Harry Potter book, and the first official Harry Potter story to be presented on stage.

More tickets released

2016-08-04

An additional 250,000 tickets are released for Harry Potter and the Cursed Child for performances through 10 December 2017.

Cursed Child has a new cast

2017-05-24

An entirely new cast takes over in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. Principals are James Howard (Draco Malfoy), Emma Lowndes (Ginny Potter), Jamie Glover (Harry Potter), Thomas Aldridge (Ron Weasley), Rakie Ayola (Hermione Granger), Helen Aluko (Rose Granger-Weasley), Theo Ancient (Albus Potter) and Samuel Blenkin (Scorpius Malfoy). Joining them are David Annen, Ruthxjiah Bellenea, Danny Dalton, Leah Haile, Rupert Henderson, Elizabeth Hill, April Hughes, James McGregor, Sarah Miele, Jordan Paris, James Phoon, Henry Rundle, Ged Simmons, Mark Theodore, Gideon Turner and Ed White. Original cast members that are staying on are Nicola Alexis, Rosemary Annabella, Phoebe Austen, Annabel Baldwin, Jabez Cheeseman, Morag Cross, Esme Grace, Lowri James, Martin Johnston, Alfred Jones, Barry McCarthy, Sandy McDade, Tom Mackley, Harrison Noble, Ben Roberts, Nuno Silva, Hope Sizer and Joshua Wyatt.

Cursed Child ticket update

2017-01-23

75,000 tickets for Harry Potter and the Cursed Child are released, with performances now running through 29 April 2018. Regular ticket releases will occur throughout the year. Two access performances are announced for March and April of this year.

Cursed Child wins the Sky Arts Award

2017-07-09

The 21st South Bank Sky Arts Awards chose Harry Potter and the Cursed Child as the Theatre winner of their UK arts-focused awards.

WhatsonStage Award wins

2017-02-19

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child cleans up at the 17th Annual WhatsOnStage Awards, winning 8 of them! Congratulations to Jamie Parker for Best Actor In A Play, Anthony Boyle for Best Supporting Actor In A Play, Noma Dumezweni for Best Supporting Actress In A Play, John Tiffany for Best Direction, Christine Jones for Best Set Design, Neil Austin for Best Lighting Design, and Finn Ross and Ash Woodward for Best Video Design. It also won Best New Play.

Harry Potter extends booking into Summer 2020

2019-01-01

Now in its third year in the West End, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child extends its booking period once again - the show now runs until 2nd August 2020.

Priscilla Queen of the Desert opens

2009-03-14

Based on the cult film of the same name, the London production ran for almost two years, and transformed the marquee of the theatre with a giant platform heel. This energetic, camp musical was directed by Simon Philips and the original cast featured Jason Donovan, Tony Sheldon, Oliver Thornton and Zoe Birkett. The show transferred to Broadway and continued to be a hit around the UK.