New ‘Harry Potter’ Play to Feature Adult Cast and Themes

We last left Harry Potter waving off his eldest children, James Sirius and Albus Severus at Platform Nine and Three-Quarters.

Today, new details have been released about JK Rowling’s beloved characters and the story that will unfold on the stage in the official eighth installment of the Potter saga:

The official website of all things Harry Potter released the following statement about the new play Harry Potter and The Cursed Child:

“It was always difficult being Harry Potter and it isn’t much easier now that he is an overworked employee of the Ministry of Magic, a husband and father of three school-age children.

While Harry grapples with a past that refuses to stay where it belongs, his youngest son Albus must struggle with the weight of a family legacy he never wanted. As past and present fuse ominously, both father and son learn the uncomfortable truth: sometimes, darkness comes from unexpected places.”

The next chapter in the story will explore Harry’s life after Hogwarts, after his marriage, and after dropping his children off for school.

The two-part play is written by Jack Thorne in collaboration with J.K. Rowling, and is directed by Oliver and Tony award-winner John Tiffany. It will feature a cast of over 30 actors, to be announced.

The creative team released:

“It is very exciting to explore Harry’s world in a brand new way through the live form of theatre. Collaborating on this story is exhilarating for all of us and we can’t wait to present the eighth story at the Palace Theatre next summer.”

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child arrives at London’s West End for the 2016 summer season. Tickets go on sale online at 11am GMT on Wednesday October 28, on a first come first served basis to those who registered for priority booking. They will be available to the general public Friday, October 30 at 11am GMT.

Priority registration is still available at HarryPotterthePlay.com, but closes Saturday, October 24 at 11:45pm BST (3:45pm PST).

Unfortunately, the nature of the theatre experience means the vast majority of fans will not get to experience next installment in the same communal way the nation devoured the book series in popular binge-reading fashion.

Of course, fans outside the U.K. will keep their fingers crossed that it may eventually travel to Broadway and tour, or at least end up a streaming event in movie theatres around the world.