The script of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, the two-part play that’s the next chapter of the Harry Potter saga, will be released in print and as an eBook.Harry Potter and the Cursed Child: Parts I and II by Jack Thorne will be released July 31, the day after the play’s London premiere.
Based on a story by J.K. Rowling, The Cursed Child picks up after the epilogue of Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows, where Harry — now a middle-aged father of three, sends his youngest son Albus off to Hogwarts for the first time.
The following is from the play’s official synopsis:
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.
Interestingly, the version fans will read if they pick up the book right away may not be the “final” story. According to Pottermore, the first edition of the book will be a special “rehearsal edition” of the play based on the script used at the start of previews. That version will be replaced by a “definitive version,” reflecting the finalized play performed at the premiere, at a later date.
Despite the fact that the finalized play has been branded as the “collector’s edition,” fans should note that it’s actually the limited “rehearsal story” that will have a limited run.
Previews for the first part of Harry potter and the Cursed Child begin at the Palace Theatre in London in June, 2016. Find out more about the production here.