Last October, when the tickets for Harry Potter and the Cursed Child went on sale, I bagged two tickets for 30th October 2016. At the time, I didn't know how I was going to be able to wait so long, it felt a lifetime away. But now it's creeping ever closer and I'm faced with a new challenge – to read the book, or not?
After much soul-searching, I've decided 'not'. At least not until after I've seen the play. Why? Because it's been almost ten years since I last experienced the joy, excitement, and thrill of a brand new slice of Potter magic. And I can't wait to feel that way again. The stomach churning knot of anticipation I get when I think about seeing the play is reminding me of exactly how I felt waiting for the publication of each and every book in the Harry Potter series. I even tried not to look at the outside of the theatre when I walked past it the other day because I didn't want to ruin that hit of adrenaline I know I'll feel on the day we actually go.
I still remember going to the midnight launch of the very last book in the series, torn between wanting to devour it as quickly as possible but being very aware that once I'd finished reading it... that would be it. But it turns out, it wasn't the end. J.K has gifted us with a magical second helping. An extension to the story. I've read debates about whether it's right for Harry to grow up, whether we want to see him older, will it ruin the stories? No, I don't think it will. Because we love Harry and we want to know where life has taken him. With each Harry Potter book, our beloved characters grew up a little more (in fact, I was pretty much the same age as Harry throughout the series) and I don't think anyone was truly ready for the books to finish. I wanted them to carry on, and on, and on.
And now we've been granted our wish. Harry is back, and I can't wait to see him again.