Quick verdict: Book Harry Potter and the Cursed Child tickets if you want the most technically ambitious theatrical magic ever staged, a continuation of the Harry Potter story, and a once-in-a-lifetime West End experience. Skip if you have not read the books or watched the films, or if you are bringing children under 10.

Prices: £15 to £235. Friday Forty tickets £40. Day seats and lottery available.

Best seats: Stalls Rows E to L centre for maximum magical impact. Dress Circle Rows A to C centre for full stage picture.

What is Harry Potter and the Cursed Child?

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is the eighth story in the Harry Potter series, set 19 years after the events of Deathly Hallows. It follows Harry (now a Ministry of Magic employee) and his son Albus Severus Potter. The script is by Jack Thorne based on a story by J.K. Rowling, Jack Thorne, and John Tiffany.

Whilst the Broadway version has been condensed into a single performance of 3 hours 30 minutes with one interval, in London you can still see the original two part production. Part One and Part Two are each approximately 2 hours 40 minutes long including their respective intervals, with a break of approximately 2 and and a half hours between the parts making the production a magical marathon. The show opened at the Palace Theatre on 30 July 2016 and has been seen by over 2 million people in London alone.

This is not a musical. It is a play with theatrical illusions that create real magic on stage: people disappear, transform, fly, and duel with wands producing visible effects. The staging won 9 Olivier Awards including Best New Play.

Palace Theatre Seating Guide

The Palace Theatre holds approximately 1,400 seats across four levels: Stalls, Dress Circle, Grand Circle, and Balcony. Built in 1891, it features ornate Victorian interiors that complement the magical atmosphere. Location is Cambridge Circus, W1D 7AY. Keep in mind the seat(s) you select for Part One will automatically be assigned to you for Part Two.

Stalls (£75 to £235): Ground level. Rows E to L centre (seats 10 to 25) are the money seats. Every major illusion plays directly to this section. You will see wands produce sparks, cloaks swirl with apparent enchantment, and transformations happen feet away. Front rows A to D are too close for some effects. Rear Stalls (M onwards) lose some magic intimacy but remain excellent.

Dress Circle (£55 to £175): First balcony. Rows A to C centre provide the best overall view of the full stage picture. You see the lighting design, the flying sequences from optimal angles, and the set changes in their full complexity. This is arguably the best section for appreciating the technical achievement.

Grand Circle (£35 to £95): Second balcony. Front rows A and B centre remain viable with clear sightlines. You will miss subtle details but see all major effects. Good value option for Potter fans who have already experienced the show up close.

Balcony (£15 to £55): Top level. Distant but affordable. The magic effects read less impressively from here, but the story and performances still deliver. Friday Forty seats (£40) offer excellent value in this section.

Seats to Avoid for Magic Effects

Extreme side seats (1 to 5 and 30+) in any section miss key illusions that are designed for centre viewing. Some magic literally does not work from sharp angles. The back rows of the Balcony feel disconnected from the theatrical intimacy that makes Cursed Child special.

Pillars affect a small number of Dress Circle and Grand Circle seats. These are marked as restricted view and discounted accordingly. Check seat maps carefully before booking.

How to Get Cheap Cursed Child Tickets

Friday Forty: 40 tickets at £40 each released every Friday at 1pm for performances the following week. High demand, limited availability, but genuine bargains.

Day seats: Limited release at 10am on performance day. £15 to £40 for Balcony and restricted view.

Midweek performances: Tuesday to Thursday evenings are £20 to £50 cheaper than weekends with better availability.

Returns: Check tickadoo regularly. Premium seats occasionally appear when bookings change.

Practical Information for Your Visit

Running time: Part One: 2 hours 40 minutes (2 hour 20 minute interval between parts) Part Two: 2 hours 35 minutes

Age recommendation: 10 and up. Children under 4 not admitted. The show contains darkness, death, and complex themes.

Spoiler policy: The production asks audiences to keep secrets. Do not google the plot before attending.

Arrive early: 30 to 45 minutes before curtain. Security bag checks are thorough. The Palace Theatre bars and themed merchandise areas are worth exploring.

Photography: Strictly prohibited during the performance. Pre-show photos in the auditorium are allowed.

Getting to Palace Theatre

Address: 113 Shaftesbury Avenue, London W1D 7AY (Cambridge Circus)

Nearest tubes: Leicester Square (3 min), Tottenham Court Road (4 min), Covent Garden (6 min)

Accessibility: Step-free access via side entrance (call ahead). Wheelchair spaces in Stalls. Accessible toilets. Audio description and captioned performances available. Hearing enhancement headsets from box office.

How Cursed Child Compares to Other West End Shows

For spectacle: The Lion King (£44 to £169) offers puppetry rather than magic. Wicked (£30 to £175) has flying and pyrotechnics but in a musical format. Stranger Things: The First Shadow (£25 to £150) uses similar theatrical illusion techniques for a different story.

For Potter fans: The Warner Bros Studio Tour is a different experience entirely (film sets and props rather than live performance). Cursed Child is the only way to see new Harry Potter story performed live.

For families with younger children: Matilda (£20 to £125) and The Lion King work for ages 6+. PADDINGTON suits ages 3+.

Book Your Harry Potter Tickets

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child tickets sell out months in advance for weekends and school holidays. Book Stalls E to L for magic immersion. Book Dress Circle A to C for the full picture. Book Friday Forty or lottery for budget options. This is the most awarded new play of the century. Do not miss it.

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