Harry Potter's Legacy Lives On! West End's 'CURSED CHILD' Is a Sequel, Not a Prequel

Now that the artwork has been unveiled, the creative team for the West End's upcoming HARRY POTTER AND THE CURSED CHILD, PARTS I & II is opening up about the plot, which until now has been kept under a strict cloaking spell. Despite earlier rumors the plays would center on Harry Potter's parents, it looks like 'CURSED CHILD' will be a sequel, not a prequel.

The Daily Mail writes that the tagline for the show -- "The Eighth Story. Nineteen Years Later." -- points to a tale centered on Harry Potter and Ginny Weasley's son, Albus Severus, who in the epilogue of HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS is about to board the train for his first year at Hogwarts.

"It's safe to say that The Cursed Child picks up from where The Deathly Hallows ended," producer Sonia Friedman told the Mail.

In the final scene of the book, Al, standing on Platform 9 and 3/4, is worried he will be sorted into Slytherin house, so Harry reassures him that he has a choice in the matter, and that after being named for two headmasters of Hogwarts -- Albus Dumbledore and Severus Snape -- the latter of which was a Slytherin, he'll do well wherever he ends up.

Friedman revealed no details on whether Harry's parents, Lily and James Potter, will appear in the plot. "It's for theatregoers and fans, and we're not going to say any more about the story," she said.

As for the feel of the show, 'CURSED CHILD' will "go back to basic story telling" but will still include special effects and illusions to "deliver the magic - but in our unique way," according to Friedman.

UPDATE: Pottermore has revealed the official synopsis of 'CURSED CHILD', which reads: "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."

Coming to London's Palace Theatre next summer, with previews beginning June 7 for an opening on July 30, 2016, HARRY POTTER AND THE CURSED CHILD is produced by Sonia Friedman Productions, Colin Callender's Playground Entertainment and Harry Potter Theatrical Productions, with direction by John Tiffany, movement by Steven Hoggett, set designs by Christine Jones, costumes by Katrina Lindsay, lighting by Neil Austin, music by Imogen Heap, sound by Gareth Fry and special effects by Jeremy Chernick.

Casting is underway, with about 30 roles to filll. BroadwayWorld will keep you updated as soon as we hear more!

Visit www.harrypottertheplay.com for more information.