Harry Potter - read play first?

[Vicachka]

Posted: 4/27/18 at 11:03am

I am going to see Harry Potter and the cursed child in a few weeks, and have not read the play yet.  For those who have seen it - do you recommend reading the play before going to the broadway show or not?

[TorontoBroadwayFan]

Posted: 4/27/18 at 11:11am

I would recommend NOT reading the play right. DH and I saw it this week. I read it, he didn’t. I think not reading it gives all of the surprises that happen all that more exciting. Don’t want to elaborate much to avoid spoilers.

[TotallyEffed]

Posted: 4/27/18 at 11:12am

Do NOT read the play before seeing it.

[AllThatJazz2]

Posted: 4/27/18 at 11:13am

Frankly, I wouldn't. I found the writing to be flat and verging on fanfiction, and reading it honestly made me question whether I'd bother seeing the show at all, until the reviews started coming in from London and NYC from critics and theatergoers. From my understanding (since I'm not seeing it in person until next year) the performances and full theater experience are what makes the play come to life and elevates the writing to a new level. (YMMV of course - I know some people who really enjoyed reading it). 

That being said, if you have not read the Harry Potter series, I would try to get through that, or at least the movies, to have a good understanding of the characters, as many of the moments in the play will be far more meaningful to those who have that background than those going into the Harry Potter universe cold. 

[Notreallysilent 2]

Posted: 4/27/18 at 11:17am

I read the play before and though it was still amazing and jaw dropping, I’d recommend not reading it cuz all the surprises in the plot would be extra surprising without prior knowledge to it. I’d recommend reading/watching some of the stories though. Especially goblet of fire and deathly hallows. But f you have time do all of them to get you excited for the show :) have fun!!!

[Megsamegatron]

Posted: 4/27/18 at 11:17am

I recommend not reading it first! It's beautiful on stage and the script should not cloud your judgement of the play going into it. If you feel included to read the script, do it after.

[jacobsnchz14]

Posted: 4/27/18 at 11:22am

All I read was Act One of Part One when the script first came out, and stopped in the hopes I would get to see it live. Glad I waited to read it.

[greenifyme2]

Posted: 4/27/18 at 12:27pm

Another vote for not reading it first. Saw Part 1 last night and very glad I didn't. The show is stunning but the writing is not great. As another poster said, 'verging on fanfiction'.

[Debbie77]

Posted: 4/27/18 at 12:30pm

I saw Part 1 last night and will be seeing Part 2 tonight. I did not read the play, but did read all the books. I loved last night so much...and enjoyed all the surprises. I vote for not reading the play first.
Can’t wait until tonight.

Debbie

[Vicachka]

Posted: 4/27/18 at 12:44pm

Thanks everyone for the insight.  I read all the books when they first came out and am rereading them now since it's been such a long time.  Will not read the play before seeing the show!

[JBroadway]

Posted: 4/27/18 at 12:56pm

Ok, I've posted this in other threads on this topic, but I'm going to say it again to be the voice of dissent:

I would actually say that you SHOULD read the play first. It's what I did, and I'm really glad. Thing is that the writing IS pretty mediocre, like others said. But because I had already read the script when I saw the play, I had already gotten used to the bad dialogue, and I was just able to focus on the beautiful stagecraft. If you haven't read the script, you may be distracted by the bad writing (because it will be new to you) and it may taint your overall experience.

Also, the script is written in such a way that it's designed to pique your curiosity - which is fun. The stage directions say WHAT magical things happen, but they don't say HOW. So as I was reading it, I kept wondering "ooh! I wonder how they're going to do that!" and I got more excited to see it onstage. 

[Wick3]

Posted: 4/27/18 at 1:13pm

JBroadway said: "Also, the script is written in such a way that it's designed to pique your curiosity - which is fun. The stage directions say WHAT magical things happen, but they don't say HOW. So as I wasreading it, I keptwondering "ooh! I wonder how they're going to do that!" and Igot more excited to see it onstage."

I agree with you. I, too, read the script before watching the play in London and NYC and I'm glad I did! Mind you I also read the Harry Potter books first before watching them on film and it's a similar outcome for me.

Even though I had already read the play and knew the plot line, I was still surprised and amazed with what director John Tiffany and his creative team did on stage! Wow! I also think I appreciated a lot of the elements more having read the play first.

[ilysespieces]

Posted: 4/27/18 at 1:24pm

Vicachka said: "Thanks everyone for the insight. I read all the books when they first came out and am rereading them now since it's been such a long time. Will not read the play before seeing the show!"

I agree with most of the others and I think you've made the right choice. I feel like a lot of the big moments and plot lines wouldn't be as impressive if you've read the script beforehand. The script just doesn't do the story justice. Enjoy the show, it's fantastic  

[sorano916]

Posted: 4/27/18 at 1:57pm

I would also say don't read the script before for another reason than others have mentioned... they've changed the script a tad from London to NYC and if you've read the script, you might focus on "hey, that's different... why did they change that?... did they mess up? etc." than the actual play.

Enjoy the play for what it is. The dialogue is similar to what's in the books (even the movies) so I don't think that's going to throw you off. If you're expecting something and it doesn't happen or it's happens elsewhere, that might throw you off even more. IMHO.

[ErikJ972]

Posted: 4/27/18 at 2:00pm

Absolutely DO NOT read it!

Saw the show a few weeks ago and was so glad I went in cold. It was great to be surprised as things happened on stage. I would avoid even reading the cast list until AFTER the show.

[lightguy06222]

Posted: 4/27/18 at 2:10pm

just to provide some alternate insight, READ THE PLAY FIRST!!!!

I loved the show.  I saw it first.  but having read it now, im dying to see it AGAIN!

[greenifyme2]

Posted: 4/27/18 at 2:15pm

ErikJ972 said: "Absolutely DO NOT read it!

Saw the show a few weeks ago and was so glad I went in cold. It was great to be surprised as things happened on stage. I would avoid even reading the cast list until AFTER the show."

Yeah they even have a spoiler note at the top of the cast list page! I also appreciated the merch booth guy warning me of (mild) spoilers in the souvenir program I purchased, so just skimmed through it quickly to make sure I wanted it but I won’t look at it too closely until after part 2.

[cali8]

Posted: 4/27/18 at 2:33pm

Another vote for do not read! Going in cold was a thrilling way to experience the play. The audience gasps at some of the surprises, and it's fun to be part of that. I read the script after seeing the play. I came away even more impressed by the production after seeing the text in isolation.

[ErikJ972]

Posted: 4/27/18 at 2:47pm

cali8 said: "Another vote for do not read! Going in cold was a thrilling way to experience the play. The audience gasps at some of the surprises, and it's fun to be part of that. I read the script after seeing the play. I came away even more impressed by the production after seeing the text in isolation."

Yes! I was one of these people gasping. More than once! I can also see how the surprises in the show might not come off as well on the page as they do on stage.

[uncageg]

Posted: 4/27/18 at 3:24pm

I purposely have not read it and am now staying away from things online about it as someone mentioned something in a thread here without a spoiler alert and it ruined one of the big surprises. Thank goodness I see it in 3 weeks.

[raddersons]

Posted: 4/27/18 at 3:57pm

Plays are meant to be seen, not read. If you know you're going, wait until you see it.

[BroadwayConcierge]

Posted: 4/27/18 at 4:22pm

Do not read. Lots of twists and turns that will make your first exposure to it much more special live.

If you're worried about being behind on Potter lingo or whatnot, two people in my group knew next to nothing about it other than who Harry Potter was, and followed the entire thing. 

Just don't read it (and enjoy the show )

[haterobics]

Posted: 4/27/18 at 4:37pm

They walk you through all the books and such in the Playbill, if you really want to get a quick dose of backstory. Just add a few minutes to read it to your night.

[Hairspray0901]

Posted: 4/27/18 at 4:48pm

I read part 1 and not part 2. So it gives you a great set up but doesn’t spoil the ending!

[Sauja]

Posted: 4/27/18 at 5:51pm

It’s interesting to me that so many people who read the play really disliked aspects of it—they had trouble with plot points or felt the dialogue was flat... And those who didn’t (like me) didn’t notice those problems at all. If there are strong criticisms to make of the play, I didn’t catch on while watching it because I was too busy being astonished and surprised.

I can believe that it might come across as flat on the page as many have suggested, but because I didn’t read it first, that wasn’t my experience with the material at all. Instead, I was awed by it. Count me firmly in team DO NOT READ.