With public previews of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child opening on June 7, author J.K. Rowling asks that fans seeing the play not share details that might spoil the story for others.
Rowling hopes that fans have enough respect for each other not to spoil the play for those seeing it at a later date, or for those who are not able to see it and plan on reading the script once it releases.
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child takes place 19 years after the final events in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, after Harry defeats Voldemort. In the play, Harry is now much older and married to Ginny, but still grapples with his past. The two have a son, Albus.
"It was always difficult being Harry Potter and it isn't much easier now that he is an overworked employee of the Ministry of Magic, a husband and father of three school-age children," the official synopsis reads. "While Harry grapples with a past that refuses to stay where it belongs, his youngest son Albus must struggle with the weight of a family legacy he never wanted. As past and present fuse ominously, both father and son learn the uncomfortable truth: sometimes, darkness comes from unexpected places."
Rowling took to social media and created a video pleading with fans not to spoil the play:
Rowling recently released images of the actors on Pottermore who will portray the characters, including Harry, Ginny and Albus, as well as Draco Malfoy's family and the family of Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger.
After some fans took issue with Hermione being portrayed by a black actress, Rowling struck back, stating that the actress was the best person for the job and that's all that mattered. Those who read the books, too, will note that Hermione's race was never mentioned in her physical description (not that it should matter).
The two-part play officially opens on July 30, with the first edition of the script becoming available then. That Special Rehearsal Edition of the script will eventually get replaced with a Definitive Edition, which will feature any changes made after public previews begin.
"The Definitive Edition will contain the perfected, definitive script with final stage directions and annotations, as seen on opening night and beyond," announced the Pottermore website. "This edition will also include extra content, such as writing from the play's creative team."
Rowling also recently stated that The Cursed Child will serve as the eighth story of the Harry Potter series, following the continuity she set up in the previous seven books.
