Out of the Margins

“Ethel. Cancel the goblins.”

Revealed! In Jack Thorne’s energetically annotated hardback first edition of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, the playwright flags this as director John Tiffany’s favourite line.

What a unique piece of theatre history! There are the scenes Jack Thorne got nervous about, the ones he spent most time on, which were his favourite, what he loved seeing actors play, scenes he had to rewrite, what he would do differently now, what he’s sad has now been cut, what’s changed since first previews in its many productions around the world and where they added even MORE magic on stage!

There are reflections on characters and their choices, what he loves about them, their important decisions, even little love hearts in some of Ron and Hermione’s moments that he clearly relishes (who wouldn't!).

There are some unique insights into audience reaction moments too. Like the time it’s revealed that Hermione has become the Minister for Magic: “This got a HUGE reaction at the first preview - people went wild. Then it leaked out and never had the same reaction again”.

Jack Thorne includes reflections on working with author J. K. Rowling, director John Tiffany and producer Sonia Friedman, how they all collaborated, staying up late into the night discussing scenes, how much magic they wanted to have in it, that real owl in the first preview (which sadly had to be cut!) and which scenes were the most precious to the other creatives. Those late nights were certainly worth it with the production winning 9 Olivier Awards including Best Play.

This is one of those magical lots, that money (almost) can’t buy. A rare, utterly wonderful addition to the auction.