HARRY POTTER AND THE CURSED CHILD Breaks Records as it Enters Second Year at the Princess Theatre

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child has established a new standard for blockbuster plays in Australia, drawing more than 325,000 attendees through the doors of the Princess Theatre in a run now entering its second year.

Opening to rave reviews 12 months ago, the production officially celebrates its first birthday this Sunday, 1 March.

The Andrews Labor Government secured the production for its February 2019 debut, making Melbourne only the third city to welcome the acclaimed play following its premiere in London in 2016 and a season in New York in 2018.

Victoria continues to be the creative and cultural capital of Australia, with studies showing that the state generates the highest share of national live performance attendance, as well as the highest share of attendance at musical theatre productions.

Harry Potter fans have travelled from near and far to enjoy the play in Melbourne with 50 per cent of ticket holders coming from regional Victoria, interstate or one of 42 countries around the world.

For many, the production was also a first theatre experience (51 per cent) and the first time visiting the Princess Theatre (77 per cent). The appeal of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child to younger audiences has also been strong with 44 per cent of attendees under the age of 35, introducing the theatre to a new generation.

The Princess Theatre, which was restored ahead of the show's launch, is the only place in the southern hemisphere where theatregoers can see this lauded production.

Major events are big business for Victoria - an independent study in 2018 found that they contributed $2.5 billion to the state's economy.

The study showed that major events attracted almost 6.9 million international and interstate visitors to Victoria annually, up 24 per cent in two years, with direct jobs supported by major event growing by 10 per cent, to 3,350.

In 2020, visitors to Victoria are spoilt for choice with men's and women's ICC T20 World Cup finals at the MCG, the 25th Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix, the launch of Melbourne's new winter arts festival and a Bledisloe Cup rugby union clash at Marvel Stadium among standout dates on the calendar.

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is booked at the Princess Theatre until mid-2020. For more information and tickets, go to harrypottertheplay.com/au.

Based on an original new story by J.K. Rowling, Jack Thorne and John Tiffany, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is a new play by Jack Thorne, directed by John Tiffany. It is the eighth story in the Harry Potter series and the first official Harry Potter story to be presented on stage.

The critically acclaimed production is one play presented in two parts, which are intended to be seen in order on the same day (matinee and evening) or on two consecutive evenings.

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is directed by John Tiffany with movement by Steven Hoggett, set by Christine Jones, costumes by Katrina Lindsay, music & arrangements by Imogen Heap, lighting by Neil Austin, sound by Gareth Fry, illusions & magic by Jamie Harrison and music supervision & arrangements by Martin Lowe. International Casting Consultant is Jim Carnahan and Australian casting by Janine Snape. Executive Producer of the Australian production is Michael Cassel.

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is produced by Sonia Friedman Productions, Colin Callender and Harry Potter Theatrical Productions.