Harry Potter and the Cursed Child - Reviews and experiences

I'm glad I went — the acting was really something, and I'd still tell a friend to see it, even with the messy bits. I first heard about it from a coworker, so we booked and sat mid-aisle. Midway through the second half a big rat wandered near our row, and we spent the last thirty minutes uneasy, keeping our feet up. Staff said the show went on and refused a refund. Still, the performances and staging were worth it.

We booked it as a lazy Sunday treat after a week of daycare runs, figured a show would feel fancy. The e-tickets trickled into my inbox late, then the box office was a mess and the person at the desk gave one of those "that's not my problem" shrugs. The play itself kept swinging between silly and sleepy, like a community drama that aimed high. I chuckled a few times but mostly checked my watch and thought about the babysitter tip. Tried calling for help after, and customer service was slow and meh, underwhelmed.

That moment when a dementor floated right over us — yeah, that’s when I relaxed. Tickets were easy to book ahead. We went because my mom wanted a proper theatre night for her birthday and she has mild hearing loss, so I was nervous. The staging worked. The visuals, the timing, the effects, they nailed it. Dialogue, though, was often too quiet. My mom couldn't pick up most lines. She left before the second half of part two. Shame, really. Overall I was quietly pleased with the spectacle. I’m thankful for those big moments, even if the show’s sound mix should have been sorted out.

Lights dimmed, the first swirl of fog and I was hooked — honestly didn't expect to be. The set and practical effects were stunning up close, felt almost tactile, like you could reach out and touch the magic. Seating was comfy, sound hit you in the chest sometimes, which is fun, though dialogue blurred a few times. New characters took a while to warm up for me, and some moments dragged, but overall I left smiling, glad I went. After a few duds from other companies, this one actually surprised me in a good way.

the theatre has this cosy, Hogwarts‑ish vibe that actually made the lobby feel special, and a kind usher walked us to our seats when my daughter slipped on the wet floor during the interval. They were apologetic, helped clean up and offered to check on her, which was something — could’ve been worse. So I’m grateful for the human bits: the staff who handled the rebooking, the woman in our row I ended up chatting with, and the small gestures after the slip. Still, I won’t pretend the performance lived up to the marketing; it’s loosely inspired by the books at best and more amateur than enchanting. Would I recommend it? Only if you’re curious about the venue or you’ve been tipped by a friend — and even then go in with low expectations. We left thankful it wasn’t a total disaster, just an expensive disappointment with a few decent people around it.

coat check was cash-only, which surprised me, and concessions were expensive but expected. Overall I enjoyed the night and felt the delivery and customer service were competent, if a little uneven in spots. Made the evening more relaxed than it might have been.