JK
Rowling, the author of the hit Harry Potter books, has announced that
she will collaborate with producers Sonia Friedman and Colin Callendar
on a stage prequel to the novels.
The new production, which will undoubtedly have Potterheads waving
their Nimbus 2000s with excitement, will follow the story of the boy
wizard before he discovered his magical abilities and headed off to
Hogwarts, at a time when he spent most of his life imprisoned in the
cupboard under the stairs of his uncle and aunt’s house.
While Rowling, whose books have sold more than 450 million copies
worldwide and been translated into 77 languages, will not script the
show, but will work closely with an as yet not chosen playwright to
create the piece.
Speaking about the play, Rowling said: “Over the years I have
received countless approaches about turning Harry Potter into a
theatrical production, but Sonia and Colin’s vision was the only one
that really made sense to me, and which had the sensitivity, intensity
and intimacy I thought appropriate for bringing Harry’s story to the
stage. After a year in gestation it is exciting to see this project
moving on to the next phase. I’d like to thank Warner Bros. for their
continuing support in this project.”
In choosing to work with Friedman and Callendar, Rowling has chosen
two producers with impressive pedigree. Friedman is one of the most
prolific producers in the West End, counting recent hits such as The Book Of Mormon
and the transfer of the Globe’s Twelfth Night and Richard III among her
productions. Callendar has worked across both stage and screen, with
recent projects including the BBC adaptation of Wolf Hall and Nora
Ephron’s Broadway hit Lucky Guy.
If all this talk of Potter productions has got you more excited than a
Hogwarts first year on a trip to Diagon Alley, you may need a calming
potion. The project will move into development next year so won’t reach
the stage for a while.
