J.K. Rowling always said she'd never write another novel about Harry Potter, and she meant it. But that doesn't rule out other forms of storytelling.
Coming summer 2016 to London's West End at the Palace Theatre is a new stage play called Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. Rowling herself made the official announcement earlier today on Twitter.
I'm also very excited to confirm today that a new play called Harry Potter and the #CursedChild will be opening in London next year.
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) June 26, 2015
Rowling dropped no hints regarding what the story is about, except to say that it's "not a prequel." She also explained why she opted to tell this story as a play instead of a novel.
To answer one inevitable (and reasonable!) question - why isn't #CursedChild a new novel? - I am confident that when audiences see the play — J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) June 26, 2015
they will agree that it was the only proper medium for the story. #CursedChild
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) June 26, 2015
Further details will be announced on the play's official website in late July, with tickets expected to go on sale this fall (and sell out seconds later). Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is a collaboration between Rowling, writer Jack Thorne and Tony award winning director John Tiffany. The play's credits list set designs by Christine Jones, costumes by Katrina Lindsay, lighting by Neil Austin, sound by Gareth Fry, and special effects by Jeremy Chernick.
Rowling's wording lists Cursed Child as a "play," not a musical. But it's worth mentioning that the credits also list the involvement of singer/songwriter Imogen Heap on "music" and a "movement" credit for Steven Hoggett. Hm.
Despite Rowling's claims that the story isn't a prequel, the Daily Mail has a report in which it claims that The Cursed Child tells the story of Harry's parents prior to their murders by Voldemort. The newspaper also suggests that friends of the Potters like Remus Lupin and Sirius Black could be involved, not to mention Severus Snape, Harry's despised Potions professor, who was in love with Lily Potter all his life.
Should this report be true, then the "Cursed Child" in the title would likely be Harry himself. The Mail's report should be considered rumor until confirmed by Rowling or the production.
The play's announcement was intentionally made on the 18th anniversary of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone's first publication.
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