Theater Round-Up: ‘Cursed Child’, ‘Good Vibrations’, ‘The Ferryman’ and ‘Checkpoint Chana’

Feb 12, 2018

Posted by: Dawn Johnson

Broadway, Directors, Fandom, Fans, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, HP Cast, John Tiffany, News, Round-Up, Sonia Friedman, Theater, Theater Round-Up, West End

This week’s theater news centers on new and transferring productions. Harry Potter and the Cursed Child continues to charm fans in London and those anxiously waiting for their first viewing in the United States and Australia. Cursed Child associate director Des Kennedy is set to lead Good Vibrations to the stage, while Sonia Friedman Productions will lead The Ferryman to a successful Broadway transfer. Finally, Harry Potter alum Geraldine Somerville returns to the stage to star in the new politically-charged drama Checkpoint Chana. Read all the details here!

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child 

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The global expansion of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child continues full steam ahead with the Broadway cast preparing to begin preview performances in a little over a month and the release of more tickets last week. To punctuate these exciting times, it appears the exterior décor of the Lyric Theater is almost ready for the opening day!

To further promote the upcoming New York opening and highly-anticipated transfer to Melbourne, Australia, a new pin is now available as well. 

In the West End, the London production of Cursed Child continues to enchant fans from all over the world, including Grammy and Tony-award winning actor and singer Ben Platt, as well as American actor and producer Sean Hayes. Both attended a recent showing and Hayes called it “incredible,” adding, “Amazing cast. Amazing production.”

Katie Leung in Onstage Reading of Gosford Park

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This weekend, Katie Leung (Cho Chang) will take part in an onstage reading of Oscar-winning murder mystery Gosford Park. The reading takes place at Hampstead Theatre at 6 p.m. and will also feature Will Adamsdale, Oliver Chris, Charles Dance, Mark Hadfield, Patricia Hodge, Claire Lams, Issy van Randwyck and Claire Skinner. For tickets and more information, click here.

Des Kennedy to Direct Good Vibrations

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While director and collaborator John Tiffany is the name most associated with the Cursed Child production, Belfast’s Des Kennedy has been acting as International Associate Director for the Broadway and Australian productions. Now he’s taking on directing duties for a new production, the stage adaptation of the hit film Good Vibrations set in 1970s Belfast and based on the life of social and musical rebel Terri Hooley.

According to HotPress, writer Glenn Patterson described the plot as follows:

“Good Vibrations was born out of love of the power of music and its vitality, and the attraction of the stage is that you get this in the raw – the power of live music. We see the stage as a place that offers new possibilities and a chance to capture the theatrical excitement, the immediacy, and show this in its full potential. I feel even more so in 2018 than in 2013 that it’s a story of great relevance. It is the story of Terri’s life, shop, label, but much more – it’s about a way of life. The time and climate are right to celebrate all the things for which Terri stood – they are all the qualities you want to embrace.”

Good Vibrations will run at the Lyric Theatre from Sept. 1 through Sept. 30 with tickets available online March 12.

The Ferryman Transfers to Broadway

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Broadway News reported that Sonia Friedman Productions, behind the magic of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, joined with Neal Street Productions to announce the transfer of The Ferryman to Broadway in October 2018.

Leaky discussed the possibility of a move in August of last year after Theater Mania drew attention to the play’s ongoing success. Leaky summarized the play as “a family drama that’s stirred up during ‘The Troubles’ in Northern Ireland. The play, directed by Sam Mendes, explores the tension created by the discovery of a long-lost family member’s body and the appearance of an inquiring IRA leader.” Broadway News added that this unexpected visitor disturbs a night of “feasting and celebrations” which take place in a farmhouse in 1981.

The show played at the Royal Court Theatre and the Gielgud Theatre before this transfer to the Bernard B. Jacobs Theater and the new cast and schedule have not yet been set.

 Geraldine Somerville Stars in Checkpoint Chana

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In other theater news, Geraldine Somerville, well known to Potter fans as Lily Potter in the Harry Potter film series, stars as Bev in the new play Checkpoint Chana, which premieres Sunday, March 4 at the Finborough Theatre.

Broadway World gives the following synopsis:

“Poet Bev Hemmings is in the eye of a storm after she publishes a poem that the world seems to believe is anti-Semitic. She’s convinced she’s innocent, but everyone else – including her PA, Tamsin – wants her to apologise. A press interview is planned to begin her public rehabilitation, but Bev’s dying father, erratic behaviour and tendency to drink make her public contrition a complex process.

Checkpoint Chana examines the point where pro-Palestinian criticism of the government of Israel and anti-Semitism blur.”

The play by Jeff Page will show on Sunday and Monday evenings as well as Tuesday matinees.

Continue to check in with Leaky for all Harry Potter and the Cursed Child updates and theater news featuring Harry Potter, Fantastic Beasts and Cursed Child alums in stage and film!

Feature image credit: Howard Sherman





The Leaky Cauldron is not associated with J.K. Rowling, Warner Bros., or any of the individuals or companies associated with producing and publishing Harry Potter books and films.