Harry Potter and the Cursed Child
Now through February 15, 2026
Write-Up by: Brianna Guinigundo
Photos by: Matthew Murphy
(Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, Orlando FL) From the moment the curtain rose, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child established itself as a theatrical experience rather than a simple continuation of a beloved franchise. The set design was immersive and fluid, transforming the stage into a living extension of the Wizarding World. Dark wood textures, shifting platforms, and looming structures evoked both Hogwarts’ grandeur and the story’s more somber emotional undercurrents. Rather than relying on literal realism, the production leaned into theatrical illusion, allowing imagination to do part of the work—an approach that felt true to the magic of live theater.
Brief Synopsis
Set years after the events of the original Harry Potter series, The Cursed Child followed an adult Harry Potter as he struggled with fatherhood while working at the Ministry of Magic. The story centered on his son, Albus Severus Potter, who grappled with the weight of his family legacy and an unexpected friendship with Scorpius Malfoy, Draco’s son. When a forbidden Time-Turner entered the picture, past and present collided, forcing characters to confront the consequences of their choices and redefining what it meant to inherit both history and responsibility.
Production
The production as a whole was a masterclass in stagecraft. Lighting, sound, and choreography worked in near-perfect harmony to create moments that felt genuinely magical. Sudden flashes of light accompanied spellwork, while subtle sound cues heightened tension during emotionally charged scenes. The pacing of the show—particularly in its transitions between intimate dialogue and large-scale spectacle—kept the audience consistently engaged. Even viewers unfamiliar with the original Harry Potter series could appreciate the technical precision and ambition behind the production.
Time-Turning Transitions
One of the most impressive elements of The Cursed Child was how it handled time travel, a narrative device that could easily have become confusing or visually cluttered. Instead, the production used choreographed movement, lighting shifts, and rotating set pieces to signal transitions through time. These moments were clear, dynamic, and surprisingly elegant, ensuring the audience never felt lost. The Time-Turner sequences stood out as some of the most inventive theatrical storytelling in the show, turning a complex plot mechanism into a visual highlight.
Wizard Robes Billowing
Costume design played a subtle but significant role in maintaining the illusion of magic. Wizard robes billowed dramatically during duels and moments of heightened emotion, often accentuated by strategic lighting and movement. These details added weight and gravitas to scenes without drawing attention away from the actors. The robes felt lived-in and functional, reinforcing the idea that this was a world where magic was routine—but still powerful.
Moving Staircases
A nod to one of Hogwarts’ most iconic features, the moving staircases were cleverly incorporated into the set design. Through rotating platforms and shifting levels, the stage itself seemed to rearrange, mirroring the unpredictability of the castle. These movements were seamless and purposeful, never distracting from the narrative while still eliciting audible reactions from the audience.
Dementors and Flying
The Dementors were among the most chilling visuals in the production. Suspended above the stage, they glided silently through the air, creating a sense of dread that was both theatrical and visceral. Similarly, scenes involving flying—whether characters were lifted, flipped, or seemingly defied gravity—were executed with precision and restraint. Rather than overwhelming the audience, these effects enhanced the emotional stakes of each moment.
Cast
The strength of The Cursed Child lay not only in its spectacle, but in its performances.
Albus Severus Potter (Adam Grant Morrison) was portrayed with vulnerability and emotional depth, capturing the pressure of living up to a legendary last name. His struggle with identity felt authentic and relatable, grounding the story’s more fantastical elements. Albus was written as a teenager grappling with angst and insecurity, and while the character was not always the most outwardly friendly, Morrison struck a perfect balance of wit and snark. His delivery consistently earned laughs from the audience while never losing sight of the emotional weight Albus carried.
Scorpius Malfoy (David Fine) was an undeniable standout, delivering warmth, humor, and sincerity. His performance provided much of the show’s emotional heart, balancing impeccable comedic timing with genuine tenderness. The audience was rarely not laughing when Fine was on stage—at times, his physical comedy and body language alone drew laughs before he even spoke.
Harry Potter (Nick Dillenburg), now a father and Ministry official, was depicted with layered complexity. Dillenburg effectively conveyed Harry’s internal conflict as he grappled with parenting, legacy, and unresolved trauma from his past. His performance captured the reality of parenthood—coming to terms with the fact that not only is your child growing up, but you are too.
Draco Malfoy (Ryan Hallahan) was given nuance and dignity, moving well beyond his original antagonist role. Hallahan successfully embodied the cool confidence that defined young Draco in the original films while adding the emotional depth that came with adulthood and fatherhood. His relationship with Scorpius proved especially compelling, offering some of the play’s most emotionally resonant moments. Despite Draco’s villainous roots, Hallahan’s portrayal made it easy to find yourself rooting for him.
Delphi Diggory (Julia Nightingale) added an intriguing and unexpected layer to the narrative, embodying both ambition and consequence. As a character new to the Wizarding World beyond the original seven books, Delphi required a wide emotional range, and Nightingale delivered a phenomenal performance. Without spoiling the plot, her portrayal brought intensity, charm, and volatility to the stage, reinforcing the play’s central themes of choice, power, and responsibility.
Final Thoughts
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child succeeded not simply as an extension of a famous story, but as a triumph of live theater. Through innovative production design, emotionally grounded performances, and breathtaking stage effects, the play reimagined what theatrical storytelling could achieve. Whether you were a lifelong fan of the Wizarding World or a newcomer to the story, The Cursed Child offered an unforgettable experience—one that proved magic was very much alive on stage.
***On Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts website: Using the promo code POTTER10, guests can receive 10% off tickets at checkout.
Now through February 15, 2026
Write-Up by: Brianna Guinigundo
Photos by: Matthew Murphy
(Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, Orlando FL) From the moment the curtain rose, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child established itself as a theatrical experience rather than a simple continuation of a beloved franchise. The set design was immersive and fluid, transforming the stage into a living extension of the Wizarding World. Dark wood textures, shifting platforms, and looming structures evoked both Hogwarts’ grandeur and the story’s more somber emotional undercurrents. Rather than relying on literal realism, the production leaned into theatrical illusion, allowing imagination to do part of the work—an approach that felt true to the magic of live theater.
Brief Synopsis
Set years after the events of the original Harry Potter series, The Cursed Child followed an adult Harry Potter as he struggled with fatherhood while working at the Ministry of Magic. The story centered on his son, Albus Severus Potter, who grappled with the weight of his family legacy and an unexpected friendship with Scorpius Malfoy, Draco’s son. When a forbidden Time-Turner entered the picture, past and present collided, forcing characters to confront the consequences of their choices and redefining what it meant to inherit both history and responsibility.
Production
The production as a whole was a masterclass in stagecraft. Lighting, sound, and choreography worked in near-perfect harmony to create moments that felt genuinely magical. Sudden flashes of light accompanied spellwork, while subtle sound cues heightened tension during emotionally charged scenes. The pacing of the show—particularly in its transitions between intimate dialogue and large-scale spectacle—kept the audience consistently engaged. Even viewers unfamiliar with the original Harry Potter series could appreciate the technical precision and ambition behind the production.
Time-Turning Transitions
One of the most impressive elements of The Cursed Child was how it handled time travel, a narrative device that could easily have become confusing or visually cluttered. Instead, the production used choreographed movement, lighting shifts, and rotating set pieces to signal transitions through time. These moments were clear, dynamic, and surprisingly elegant, ensuring the audience never felt lost. The Time-Turner sequences stood out as some of the most inventive theatrical storytelling in the show, turning a complex plot mechanism into a visual highlight.
Wizard Robes Billowing
Costume design played a subtle but significant role in maintaining the illusion of magic. Wizard robes billowed dramatically during duels and moments of heightened emotion, often accentuated by strategic lighting and movement. These details added weight and gravitas to scenes without drawing attention away from the actors. The robes felt lived-in and functional, reinforcing the idea that this was a world where magic was routine—but still powerful.
Moving Staircases
A nod to one of Hogwarts’ most iconic features, the moving staircases were cleverly incorporated into the set design. Through rotating platforms and shifting levels, the stage itself seemed to rearrange, mirroring the unpredictability of the castle. These movements were seamless and purposeful, never distracting from the narrative while still eliciting audible reactions from the audience.
Dementors and Flying
The Dementors were among the most chilling visuals in the production. Suspended above the stage, they glided silently through the air, creating a sense of dread that was both theatrical and visceral. Similarly, scenes involving flying—whether characters were lifted, flipped, or seemingly defied gravity—were executed with precision and restraint. Rather than overwhelming the audience, these effects enhanced the emotional stakes of each moment.
Cast
The strength of The Cursed Child lay not only in its spectacle, but in its performances.
Albus Severus Potter (Adam Grant Morrison) was portrayed with vulnerability and emotional depth, capturing the pressure of living up to a legendary last name. His struggle with identity felt authentic and relatable, grounding the story’s more fantastical elements. Albus was written as a teenager grappling with angst and insecurity, and while the character was not always the most outwardly friendly, Morrison struck a perfect balance of wit and snark. His delivery consistently earned laughs from the audience while never losing sight of the emotional weight Albus carried.
Scorpius Malfoy (David Fine) was an undeniable standout, delivering warmth, humor, and sincerity. His performance provided much of the show’s emotional heart, balancing impeccable comedic timing with genuine tenderness. The audience was rarely not laughing when Fine was on stage—at times, his physical comedy and body language alone drew laughs before he even spoke.
Harry Potter (Nick Dillenburg), now a father and Ministry official, was depicted with layered complexity. Dillenburg effectively conveyed Harry’s internal conflict as he grappled with parenting, legacy, and unresolved trauma from his past. His performance captured the reality of parenthood—coming to terms with the fact that not only is your child growing up, but you are too.
Draco Malfoy (Ryan Hallahan) was given nuance and dignity, moving well beyond his original antagonist role. Hallahan successfully embodied the cool confidence that defined young Draco in the original films while adding the emotional depth that came with adulthood and fatherhood. His relationship with Scorpius proved especially compelling, offering some of the play’s most emotionally resonant moments. Despite Draco’s villainous roots, Hallahan’s portrayal made it easy to find yourself rooting for him.
Delphi Diggory (Julia Nightingale) added an intriguing and unexpected layer to the narrative, embodying both ambition and consequence. As a character new to the Wizarding World beyond the original seven books, Delphi required a wide emotional range, and Nightingale delivered a phenomenal performance. Without spoiling the plot, her portrayal brought intensity, charm, and volatility to the stage, reinforcing the play’s central themes of choice, power, and responsibility.
Final Thoughts
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child succeeded not simply as an extension of a famous story, but as a triumph of live theater. Through innovative production design, emotionally grounded performances, and breathtaking stage effects, the play reimagined what theatrical storytelling could achieve. Whether you were a lifelong fan of the Wizarding World or a newcomer to the story, The Cursed Child offered an unforgettable experience—one that proved magic was very much alive on stage.
***On Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts website: Using the promo code POTTER10, guests can receive 10% off tickets at checkout.
RSS Feed