Review: HARRY POTTER AND THE CHAMBER OF SECRETS, Royal Albert Hall

Even those who have never seen a Harry Potter movie will recognise "Hedwig's Theme", the song that has become an anthem for Potter fans around the world. The second in the series, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, recently stopped at the Royal Albert Hall following a hugely successful live concert of the first movie last year.

In the second instalment of J. K. Rowling's wizarding world, Harry and his best friends Ron and Hermione delve deep into Hogwart's past to try and discover the monster that's terrorising Muggle-born witches and wizards in the castle. Following Voldemort's return in his first year at school, life at Hogwarts was never going to be simple for Harry!

With the BBC Concert Orchestra, led by conductor Justin Freer, performing the score, it was guaranteed to be an experience like no other. Before the movie was screened, Freer made sure to let the audience know that participation was very much encouraged, with cheering and booing loudly filling the Albert Hall with the appearance of each main character (the late Alan Rickman as Severus Snape garnered a particularly loud cheer).

A large screen was suspended at the front of the auditorium, with subtitles included at the bottom - something that came in handy as the orchestra occasionally drowned some speech, although this didn't deter from the experience at all.

With the movie running at nearly three hours long, there was a well-timed 15-minute interval which allowed fans to stretch their legs, with children (and adults) kitted out in their house colours animatedly awaited the second half.

Each time the orchestra started up there was a high sense of anticipation, and there were often moments where the hairs on your arms rose with excitement. John Williams' score is one of the most recognisable and iconic of all time, and this concert series is a fantastic celebration of his work.

For Harry Potter fans, the concert gives them a unique opportunity to listen to the music from their favourite film series live, and the BBC Concert Orchestra and Freer make it an exciting evening - one that every Potterhead will enjoy, as they fall even more in love with Harry's world.

When Freer made the announcement that there were another six Harry Potter concerts to come, cheers and applause echoed around the Albert Hall, emphasising the love that the British public have for Rowling's creation and Williams' timeless score.

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban arrives at the Royal Albert Hall on Tuesday 23 and Wednesday 24 October. Make sure to book your tickets soon - this is one experience you won't want to miss!

To post a comment, you must register and login.