Stage technology is (no) witchcraft

2016 was a Harry Potter year in London. In late July, all eyes were on the premiere of the stage production “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child” at the Palace Theatre – especially the sets, which were inevitably compared with those of the opulent film adaptations of the Harry Potter novels. In the same month, the Warner Bros Studio Tour started in London, offering the public some behind-the-scenes insights into the most successful film series in the world.         

When author Joanne K. Rowling announced the end of the epic voyage of young magician Harry Potter, the stage production “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child” was created to continue the story where the last book and film in the series ended. With audiences accustomed to the amazing imagery and special effects of the film adaptations, their expectations of the stage production were high. And they were met. Combining baroque theatre, 4D cinema and a kind of Siegfried & Roy show, it is a spectacular extravaganza and a celebration of theatre. More than that, it is a ceremonious rite.    

Harry Potter fans are hungry to see the illusion continued, especially where the sets are concerned. And they are not disappointed: On stage, smoke comes out of ears and pumpkin pies explode, and characters even undergo complete transformations. 4D light, sound, vibrations and other effects create a convincing impression of a journey back in time. 

Harry Potter in the Warner Bros Studios

Harry Potter’s journey begins at King’s Cross Station, the setting of the very first and last film scenes. A brick pillar between platforms 9 and 10 marks the entrance to platform 9 ¾, and the parallel world of magicians. From here, the steam train named “Hogwarts Express” takes the apprentice wizards to their boarding school. The station and historical train compartments were reconstructed in the studio for green and bluescreen filming. 

Visitors to the “Warner Bros Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter” can see original scenery, costumes and props like these in the authentic filmsets. Specialists are on hand to answer questions about how the films were made, and the film technology used to create some of the fascinating special effects can be tried out. 

To ensure a look of authenticity, miniature models were built of courtyards at Alnwick Castle and Durham’s Norman cathedral, the original home of the twin towers, where many scenes were filmed.    

The model-makers completed their work with over 2500 fibreglass lamps, creating the effect of flickering lantern or torchlight, just as if the pupils were walking through the passages of the castle with lights in their hands. Stone walls and rocks were recreated using pebbles, and real plants used for the surrounding landscape and trees. The final effect is of a countryside around Hogwarts resembling the Scottish Highlands.                         

The magic continues

15 years after the Harry Potter story was first launched, the magic shows no sign of dissipating. Sarah Roots, vice president of the Warner Bros Studios Tour London, says: “The special thing about the tour is that everything shown here was actually used in the making of the Harry Potter films. All the scenery, props and costumes are originals that were lovingly crafted with lots of attention to detail. Eight Harry Potter films were made in Leavesden. So, we are very happy that the set has found a permanent home here”. The production at the Palace Theatre in London is sold out until February 2018. Meanwhile, Joanne K. Rowling has hinted that it will subsequently be shown “in other cities all over the world”.