I’m taking a break from the straight recap posts to write about the Harry Potter play. Since it took place over the course of two nights, I’d have to break up the recap, and I’d rather not. Read the rest of my posts about our trip here.

As I mentioned before, the boys and I went to the theater box office to pick up my tickets on Wednesday afternoon.

The doors opened at 6:30 with the show starting an hour later, but I wasn’t sure how long it would take to get from our flat on Holloway Rd to the theater. It only ended up taking about 20 minutes, so I was just a tad early. But I got in the line that was forming outside the theater anyway and just played Two Dots for a while.

Soon enough, it was time to go in! It was nice that I got there early because there wasn’t a line at the coat check or more importantly, the bar.

Got myself a gin and tonic and people-watched until they opened the doors. (Lots of Americans, it seemed. And lots of kids. I told the boys they were too young. And though they really aren’t, there’s no way I’m paying for tickets to a play like this before they’ve read every single Harry Potter book on their own. Watching the movies does not count.)

When they opened the doors, I found my seat, which was in the dress circle (E11, in case anyone going ever reads this) and was fantastic. Originally, I had gotten a ticket way up in the nosebleeds. Literally, the second row from the top, and this theater is tall.

This is the view from the stage. At the very bottom, almost out of the photo, are the stalls. Above that is the dress circle. I was about halfway up and 1/3 of the way from the left in that photo. Above that is the Grand Circle, and above that is the Balcony. My seat would have been way up in the shadows up there. So I’m glad I ended up with the seat I did. Obviously.

When I arrived, I took a picture of the stage, just to get an idea of how close I was (I didn’t zoom or anything.)

Soon enough, the play started. And it was amazing. I haven’t been to many plays, and certainly not of this caliber, so who knows? All I can say is, the lighting designer is a genius. Just the way they could show and reveal action, and create special effects was incredible. Also, somehow they did magic stuff. No CGI, of course! It was simply mesmerizing.

Anyway, everything about it was fantastic. Acting, the sets, the movement, the costumes (ooh the dementors!), everything. If you love the Harry Potter universe, and you find yourself in London, you should really do everything you can to go.

There was an intermission halfway through each night. That’s when I’d go get another gin and tonic and stretch my legs. Too quickly, Part One was over, and we were given buttons as we left, so don’t even ask who the cursed child is, I won’t tell!

Of course, you could read the script. I did. It was interesting to hear the gasps from the people who obviously didn’t read it, though. I read it a few months ago, so I didn’t remember all of the details exactly, so I was still surprised at times. The boys were bugging the bejesus out of me to tell them who the cursed child is, but my lips are sealed.

On the way out, I bought the boys stuffed owls (I mean, not Hedwig, of course. Not sure their name.)

The next evening, I knew I didn’t have to leave our flat quite so early, but even though I was further back in line to get in, there wasn’t much of a wait for my now customary Hendrix and tonic and to drop off my giant coat. I sat in my seat, and like the night before, put a pound coin in a little machine in front of my seat to get a pair of binoculars. Handy for seeing details on stage.

And then Part Two started and it was also amazing (you read the script and think, but how on earth are they going to do THAT on a stage? And they did!) and I loved it and was very sad when it was over. Sniff.

On the way out, I bought a Ravenclaw scarf and a book about the show. (Technically, according to Pottermore, I should have purchased the Gryffindor scarf, but sue me. I liked the Ravenclaw colors better.)

And, that’s about it. Go see it if you can! It’s supposed to be coming to NYC in 2018 or something. I told the boys I’d take them if they read all the books first. Ha!

Oh, I just found this in my email. They’re super serious about not telling anyone the details of the story.