Reviews: Harry Potter and the Cursed Child: High School Edition presented by Riverside High School
Written by Erin Allen of Bishop Ireton
For nearly 30 years, millions of people have been enchanted by the world of Harry Potter, the remarkable “Boy Who Lived.” Readers and moviegoers alike know Harry as a fearless hero, but even the strongest champions can find themselves horribly unprepared for the challenge of parenthood. These themes were explored by the cast and crew of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child: High School Edition at Riverside High School, the first Virginia production of this thrilling, heartwarming, and magical show.
Written by Jack Thorne, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child opened on London’s West End in 2016 to critical acclaim and transferred to Broadway in 2018 to the same success. The show won nine Olivier Awards and six Tony Awards, including Best Play. Riverside High School was one of 29 schools in the country who were chosen to premiere the newly condensed high school edition of the show.
Continuing J.K. Rowling’s acclaimed series, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child illustrates Harry’s complicated relationship with his son, Albus. When Albus goes to Hogwarts and meets Scorpius Malfoy, son of Draco Malfoy, the two immediately become an inseparable pair. They entangle themselves in a plot to revive Cedric Diggory, and in doing so, fix one of Harry’s lingering regrets. Albus’s attempts to right his father’s wrongs quickly go sideways, throwing the entire Wizarding World into a father-son conflict that could alter reality forever.
Carrying the story on his shoulders was Finn Griffiths as Albus Potter. Through his posture, mannerisms, and tone of voice, Griffiths perfectly embodied Albus’s internal struggles and drove the show forward with an urgency to defy his father. Griffiths shone in the show’s more dramatic moments, allowing the audience to empathize with Albus and feel his inner turmoil. Aiding Albus’s journey was Jeffrey Henderson as Scorpius Malfoy. Henderson exercised an impressive range of silliness to seriousness as his character navigated friendships and loss. Henderson’s comedic moments were a highlight of the show; his elaborate hand gestures and vocal inflection had the audience in stitches throughout. The dynamic between Henderson and Griffiths was one of true dedication and friendship, making all the heartwarming moments of the show more effective.
The Harry Potter series would of course be nothing without its titular character. Jet Hardy portrayed the famous “Chosen One” with a perfect balance of strength and vulnerability. Hardy gave Potter the strong facade the audience knows and loves, but allowed for more sensitive emotions to come through during complex scenes with Albus. Harry’s trusty sidekick, Ron Weasley, was played to comedic perfection by Jojo Smothers. Smothers delivered Ron’s world-famous jokes with total believability and added a layer of lightheartedness to the show.
The Wizarding World is surely a complex one, but the Riverside Stage Crew brought the audience through it with ease. The Crew perfectly executed several impressive tasks, such as major scene changes, operating a turntable, and moving set pieces - such as maze hedges and staircases - within the context of a scene. Their seamless performance created a smooth flow for the show. Also enhancing the audience’s overall experience were Ava Wadhwa’s props. Wadhwa’s work included hand-leathered books, bubbling potions, real candy bags, and a light-up time turner. These props immersed the audience in the show and gave an extra sense of believability to the mystical world that was being created.
Excellently performed and designed, Riverside High School’s production of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child: High School Edition was a theatrical delight. Even as the curtain came down, the audience was sure to remember the creativity, talent, and true magic that enchanted them onstage.
Written by Sara Bader of Loudoun Valley High School
Welcome, witches and wizards, to the hallowed halls of Hogwarts! The cast and crew of Moon River Productions brought magic to the stage of Riverside High School with a spellbinding production of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child: High School Edition. In this Tony Award winning play, J.K. Rowling worked with John Tiffany and playwright Jack Thorne for the first on-stage production of the wizarding world. The show made its West End debut in 2016, Broadway premiere in 2018, and is now brought to Virginia, Riverside becoming one of only 29 schools to perform it since the script was released.
Following Albus and Scorpius, the sons of the iconic Harry Potter and Draco Malfoy, the story is a twisting continuation of the original Harry Potter saga. Set 19 years after the conclusion of the series, the youngest Potter son frets about being sorted into Slytherin House, only to become fast friends with his supposed arch nemesis. While the boys get into mischief, darkness abounds around every corner.
Finn Griffiths, playing the role of Albus Severus Potter, commanded attention from the moment he stepped onstage. Albus, a rebellious teenager, is a relatable character under parental pressures. Griffiths appeals emotionally to the audience, putting on a spectacular show that tugs on the heartstrings of everyone watching him. Albus is scripted as a young boy with the heavy legacy of his father hanging over him, and Griffiths translated this into his performance expertly.
What's a headstrong hero without his plucky, unlucky best friend? Scorpius Malfoy (Jeffrey Henderson) is the perfect counterpart to Albus, the quirky voice of reason that gets dragged along with his friend’s impulsive schemes. Henderson embodied the character strikingly, showing a clear range of emotions, using natural-looking nervous tics to further appeal to the feeling in his scenes.
The chemistry between Henderson and Griffiths was expertly conveyed, creating an emotionally charged atmosphere portraying the beautiful camaraderie between the two boys. Their dynamics were powerful, perfectly encapsulating the ups and downs of young friendships.
The ensemble worked together wonderfully to set the intentions of each scene, pulling the show along and creating a realistic atmosphere full of magic. With cameos from fan favorite characters from the first books, such as the eccentric Moaning Myrtle (Kaitlyn Lanigan), and an older, mature feeling Harry Potter (Jet Hardy), the stage was truly transformed into the mystical halls of Hogwarts.
Keeping up with the wizarding school feel, tech was no exception in magical dealings. Outfitted in the same student robes, the stage crew moved the story along seamlessly and near imperceptibly under the direction of stage manager Kai Macaninch. Head costume designers Chance McGill, Claire Rice and Naomi Whitworth expertly wove together outfits, creating impeccable visuals for all groups onstage. With everyone working together, the stage was alive with magic, transporting the audience.
From the rise of the curtain to the closing bows, the stage was emotionally charged, pulling the audience along on an unforgettable whirlwind journey. One thing’s for certain - the entirety of Moon River Productions is an extremely talented, magical bunch!