Theater Round-Up: ‘Cursed Child’ Makes Cut Off for Tony Consideration, Noma Dumezweni and Jamie Glover Read Books, and More!
Oct 16, 2017
Audio Books, Broadway, Charity, Enoch, Events, Films, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Honors/Awards, HP Cast, LeakyCon, Movies, News, Noma Dumezweni, Round-Up, Theater, Theater Round-Up, West End
This week in theater news Harry Potter and the Cursed Child NYC makes the cut for Tony Awards consideration while the London production continues to charm. Cursed Child alums Noma Dumezweni and Jamie Glover have both been asked to lend their voices to book readings–one for publishing and one for a charity event. Finally, not to leave the esteemed and talented cast of the Harry Potter films out, Alfred Enoch joins a judging panel to select up and coming new scripts for the stage! Read all the details below.
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child News
Variety reported that the dates for the 2018 Tony Awards ceremony honoring the best of Broadway have been set. The event will be held June 10, 2018 at Radio City Music Hall and air live on CBS.
Qualifying productions must begin their run by Apr. 26 in order to be eligible. This means Cursed Child, already an awards success in London’s West End, will come in just under the cut!
Leaky reported that preview showings begin Mar. 16 with the official opening scheduled for Apr. 22–and with seven original members of the Olivier-winning cast!
1/4 We’re thrilled to announce that 7 of the Original West End cast will be reprising their roles for #CursedChildNYC on Broadway. pic.twitter.com/qRsb1TsHr6
— Cursed Child NYC (@HPPlayNYC) August 2, 2017
They join a talented cast of 28 actors from the NYC side of the pond, bringing a commanding force to the stage. Given the accolades they’ve already received, we won’t be the least surprised if they cast a spell over Broadway as well!
Speaking of the London production, the new cast has more than ably assumed a place on the stage. Last week, Leaky covered the announcement of Samuel Blenkin’s (Scorpius Malfoy) and Rakie Ayola’s (Hermione Granger-Weasley) nominations for the Broadway World UK Awards! This second run has achieved equal success to the first and continues to draw fans–including those from within the industry! Most recently, Jodie Whittaker, the newly-christened 13th Doctor, attended another magical showing.
Before she takes over the TARDIS, the 13th Doctor stopped by Hogwarts! Jodie Whittaker & Annabel Scholey with the #CursedChild London cast. pic.twitter.com/ieuflsNQXk
— Cursed Child Play (@HPPlayLDN) October 10, 2017
Noma Dumezweni to Narrate Audio Book
According to the Bookseller, Noma Dumezweni, best known for originating the role of Hermione Granger-Weasley onstage, has been tapped by Canongate to narrate an upcoming audiobook edition of Jennifer Clement’s The Widow Basquiat. The press release calls the book a “‘powerful and moving’ exploration of the life of artist Jean-Michel Basquiat through the eyes of his muse.”
The audiobook is available for purchase Nov. 11, coinciding with the current Basquiat exhibition at London’s Barbican Centre. That tribute runs through January 2018. The Guardian reported:
“The Barbican show will explore the astonishing range of source material Basquiat used for his works, from bebop jazz to surreal silent films to trashy TV to 19th-century impressionism.
“His paintings were often produced in a studio heaving with friends and fellow artists. ‘He was always working in front of people,’ said [curator Eleanor] Nairne. ‘He always had that performative bent. The idea he was capable of producing the most interesting works while at the same time hosting an ongoing constant party is extraordinary.'”
No doubt the book on the life of the late art prodigy is also quite extraordinary!
Jamie Glover to Participate in Winter’s Tales
Jamie Glover, also currently starring in the London production of Cursed Child as he takes on the invisibility cloak of none other than Harry Potter himself, is part of The Print Room’s line up for Winter’s Tales. The event, which spans the first week in December, features celebrities reading holiday favorites.
WhatsOnStage announced Mel Giedroyc plans to read The Adventure of the Christmas Pudding, Penelope Wilton has opted to read stories from Winnie the Pooh, and Toby Stephens will delight with Roald Dahl’s The Twits. Glover’s selection has not yet been named.
Profits from the event will go to the Grenfell Tower community and the Give a Book charity.
Alfred Enoch to Judge Bruntwood Prize
Alfred Enoch, most well known to Potter fans as Gryffindor Dean Thomas, will be among the judges awarding this year’s Bruntwood Prize for Playwriting. Enoch is no stranger to the stage himself, having starred in King Lear at the Royal Exchange.
According to the Stage report, the competition, in its sixth year, considers unperformed plays and will tap 10 scripts of merit for development with the Royal Exchange.
In addition to his participation on the panel, his recent work in How to Get Away With Murder, and an appearance at LeakyCon, Enoch penned a moving letter to his younger self on the awakening he experienced as a person of color after coming to America for work. Leaky covered these poignant reflections last week, in which he noted:
“You’re going to get a job in America. It will change your career. It will change you. More specifically, it will change the way you see yourself. For what I think will be the first time in your life, you will not just be aware, but conscious of your ethnicity. You will become conscious of how that affects the way you are perceived, the way you are treated, and of a wider narrative of which you are a part.”
Clearly, Enoch is evolving and maturing not just as an actor in the industry, but also as a man finding his place in the world. He will surely bring a good deal of insight and experience to the judging of the Bruntwood Prize!
