Theater Round-Up: Branagh’s ‘The Winter’s Tale’ Screens in December, ‘Cursed Child’s’ Imogen Heap Nominated for Grammy Award and More!

Nov 20, 2019

Posted by: Dawn Johnson

Actor Interviews, Books, Branagh, Broadway, Charity, Events, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Honors/Awards, HP Cast, Interviews, News, Round-Up, Sonia Friedman, Theater, Theater Round-Up, West End

In this week’s theater round-up, we have news of an exciting Kenneth Branagh revival, an award nomination for Cursed Child composer Imogen Heap, casting news for Rhys Ifans and an opportunity to experience Cursed Child through the new behind-the-scenes book Harry Potter and the Cursed Child: the Journey or by bidding to win two tickets to an upcoming performance.

Read on for more details!

Branagh’s The Winter’s Tale Screens in Theater’s Dec. 4

THE WINTER’S TALE by Shakespeare,            , Writer - William Shakespeare, Directors - Kenneth Branagh and Rob Ashford, Set and Costume - Christopher Oram, Kenneth Branagh Theatre Company, 2015, Credit: Johan Persson/

THE WINTER’S TALE by Shakespeare, , Writer – William Shakespeare, Directors – Kenneth Branagh and Rob Ashford, Set and Costume – Christopher Oram, Kenneth Branagh Theatre Company, 2015, Credit: Johan Persson/

According to WhatsOnStage, The Winter’s Tale, starring Kenneth Branagh, well known for his long history in theater and enchanting portrayal of Gilderoy Lockhart, will screen in select UK theaters on Dec. 4.

The production also starred Judi Dench, Miranda Raison, Jessie Buckley, Jaygann Ayeh, Tom Bateman and Hadley Fraser, and was co-directed by Branagh and Rob Ashford as part of the 2015 West End season at Garrick Theatre. It was first screened in November of that year and grossed over $1.6 million on one night.

View clips from the screening below!

Check local UK theaters for screenings here.

Imogen Heap Nominated for 2020 Grammy Award

Imogen Heap

Imogen Heap, the innovative artist behind the Harry Potter and the Cursed Child soundtrack, has been nominated for Best Musical Theater Album for the 2020 Grammy Awards.

The soundtrack was released Nov. 2, 2018. It was created from Heap’s original compositions, which she later altered for the play. In a Leaky exclusive, Heap explained, “We wanted a different thing, we’re trying to be unique from the films – we want Cursed Child to exist in a different world.”

She also appeared on NPR’s Tiny Desk concert series over the summer, showcasing some of Frou Frou’s favorites along with her incredible piano skills and remarkable tech engineering, the basis for the magic that comes together in the Cursed Child album.

Watch the 62nd Grammy Awards on Jan. 26 on CBS to see if Heap conjures a win!

Rhys Ifans Cast in To Kill A Mockingbird 

rhys-ifans

Leaky recently reported that Sonia Friedman Productions would bring Aaron Sorkin’s To Kill a Mockingbird to the Gielgud Theatre, and Broadway World has now confirmed that Rhys Ifans will play the lead in the West End transfer.

Ifans, known to Potter fans as the enigmatic Xenophlius Lovegood, will take on the iconic Atticus Finch, following in the footsteps of Broadway’s Ed Harris and Jeff Daniels.

For those unfamiliar with Harper Lee’s award-winning novel, Finch is the small-town lawyer who defends a black man accused of raping a white girl. The novel and its stage adaptation examine race and justice in the Depression-era South through the eyes of Finch’s daughter, Scout.

The play will open May 21, 2020, and more casting details will be announced soon.

James Snyder Stops by the Today Show

James Snyder, star of Broadway’s Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, stopped by the Today Show earlier this month for a chat with Al Roker. They discussed the release of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child: The Journey, which Leaky previewed in a recent report, teasing:

“Harry Potter and the Cursed Child: The Journey takes readers on a read throughout the journey of Cursed Child from conception, all the way through to winning Tony awards after its U.S. Broadway debut and beyond.”

Snyder brought a copy of the book to the interview, but Roker wanted to start with Harry Potter, the central figure in J.K. Rowlings’ beloved series and its stage continuation. Roker asked Snyder what it’s like to play the iconic character. Snyder replied:

“It was intimidating at first. Really, I try and just do my best to get out of the way and let people see the character that they love up on stage and just honor the heart that Harry has.” 

Snyder then gave away the book to a lucky fan, saying, “It’s got amazing pictures and a behind-the-scenes look,” and surprised her with four tickets to the play!

Watch the video below and check out Leaky’s in-depth preview here.

Bid to Win Two Tickets to Harry Potter and the Cursed Child

cursedchildtickets

The Social Edge has donated two producer house seats to Parts I and II of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child to the winning bidder at Charity Buzz. The package includes a meet-and-great with star, James Snyder, who plays Harry Potter.

The experience occurs from Dec. 3, 2019 to May 31, 2020, excluding blackout dates the week of Thanksgiving and the week between Christmas and New Year’s.

The package is valid for  two people and lasts six hours. Each part is three hours long with intermissions. The 15-minute meetup with Snyder is private, and the winner may take a photo, as well as provide something to be signed. Winners must provide three feasible dates to attend both parts of the show, listed in order of preference, within a week of winning the charity auction.

The experience cannot be resold, re-auctioned or transferred, and travel and accommodations are not included!

Bidding closes on Nov. 26 at 3:05 p.m. EST. Bid at Charity Buzz here.

Proceeds from the charity auction support Broadway Inspirational Voices.

 

 





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.