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J.K. Rowling's new play will be the 'eighth Harry Potter story'

J.K. Rowling's new play will be the 'eighth Harry Potter story'

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Focusing on Harry and Albus Potter

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J.K. Rowling has revealed more details about Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, a two-part play that will open in London's West End next year. The first official theatrical adaptation of the Harry Potter story is set 19 years after the book's main timeline finishes and will focus on the challenges of the Potter family.

Here's the official synopsis:

It was always difficult being Harry Potter and it isn’t much easier now that he is an overworked employee of the Ministry of Magic, a husband and father of three school-age children.
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. As past and present fuse ominously, both father and son learn the uncomfortable truth: sometimes, darkness comes from unexpected places.

The two-part play has been written with Jack Thorne and will be directed by Olivier and Tony award-winner John Tiffany in collaboration with Rowling herself. "It is very exciting to explore Harry’s world in a brand new way through the live form of theatre," the trio told Pottermore. "Collaborating on this story is exhilarating for all of us and we can’t wait to present the eighth story at the Palace Theatre next summer."

Rowling continued: "The story only exists because the right group of people came together with a brilliant idea about how to present Harry Potter on stage. I’m confident that when audiences see Harry Potter and the Cursed Child they will understand why we chose to tell this story in this way."

"back to basic story telling"

There are scant details available about the play, but it seems the focus will be on characters, not magical spectacle. "‘Because it’s a play, it’s worth stressing that at this stage of the process it’s not our intention to have a high-tech show, but to go back to basic story telling," producer Sonia Friedman told The Daily Mail. "We very much hope to deliver magic — but in our unique way."

Previews for the play will start June 2016 at the Palace Theatre in London, with early tickets selling for £20 ($30) for both parts, with this rising to £30 ($46) after August 3rd 2016. The first tickets will go on sale online at 11AM GMT (6AM ET) on October 28th for those that have registered, with general bookings opening on October 30th. All tickets are available from HarryPotterthePlay.com.