Harry Potter and the Cursed Child Dream Cast Board
Today some of my friends started putting together their dream casts for Cursed Child, and I couldn’t resist joining in, because this is way too much fun.
I feel like a couple of my opinions might be controversial, and that’s actually why I wanted to post this. Everyone in both casts is amazing, and it’s so interesting to find out everyone’s favourites and why! Especially when those favourites are a bit out of the ordinary.
My rules were that I could pick any mix of people from either cast, but no one could play more than one role, however I could pick someone as a cover for a different role (actors listed in brackets are my covers). I also tried to match up people who I thought would work best together, but in at least one case I had to sacrifice chemistry in favour of who I most wanted to play a role.
So without further ado, in order of appearance, here we go!
*
Sorting Hat & Hagrid – Ged Simmons (Chris Jarman)
When Ged plays the Sorting Hat he’s an ethereal being. I love his detachment from everything going on around him. He isn’t part of the scene, because he’s a hat! He’s not an emotional creature, he’s just there to do a job. I also think the way he does the Godric’s Hollow transition with the pumpkins is pure magic. He spreads the snow with this joyous, back and forth motion, and it soars with beauty and enchantment.
I also think his Hagrid is simply wonderful. He broke me last Sunday when he started to leave Lily and James’s ruined house in despair, but on the way out he heard baby Harry crying and the look of hope and wonder on his face was the most incredible thing. Here is a child, who has survived the most powerful curse in the world, and is here against all odds: the boy who lived.
Chris is my cover because he was the first Sorting Hat I saw. I fell in love with his steady, measured movement. It had such a beautiful quality to it, and I don’t think anyone else has ever matched that.
*
Harry Potter – Jamie Parker (Jamie Glover)
Is there any choice for Harry other than Jamie Parker? He lived and breathed Harry. He walked on stage and it was like Harry had walked out of my imagination and onto the stage. The fire in him, and the light, boyish, fun-loving side melded together to create sheer perfection.
Jamie Glover is my second choice because I adore his reading of the script with my whole heart. He takes Harry on such a complete journey, and he made me understand Harry in a way I never had before. You can see how he learns through the story, and the moment in the dorm scene when he understands for the first time what he’s done to his son is heartbreaking, which makes the ultimate reunion all the sweeter. He’s come so far in the last few months and he has so much more still to give, so that’s why he’s my cover Harry.
*
Albus Severus Potter – Theo Ancient (Tom Mackley)
I think Theo is the perfect Albus. I’d been writing Albus for a year before he stepped on stage, and I still get astounded when he does something that matches my concept of Albus so perfectly. The best example of this is in the torture scene, when he walks up to Delphi and presents himself as a target to her when he says “Do your worst”.
He’s an exceptional actor, who is constantly in the moment. On stage he becomes Albus completely, and there’s nothing of Theo left in him. Also, I have a huge desire to see him and Jamie Parker do a blanket scene together – it would either be the most explosive thing ever or it would reduce Theo’s Albus to a puddle of tears. Either way, I’m here for it.
It was tough to choose a cover, but after some deliberation I have gone with Mackley for the unique qualities he brings to Albus. I love his stillness and nobility. I love his humour as well as his serious side, and I’ve adored him with both casts. I think Samuel brings out the best in him, and it’s wonderful to see two people have so much fun on stage together. My Mackley highlight is probably when Samuel made him jump so hard with “Ever since being in the scariest place imaginable” that he fell off the bed in the dorm scene.
I also think it needs to be said that the way his Albus reacts to Craig’s death is stunning – it colours everything that comes after it in the show for him, not just the torture scene, but everything all the way through to the very final scene.
*
Ginny Potter – Poppy Miller (Emma Lowndes)
Poppy is the only choice for Ginny. She brought together the perfect softness and toughness, and she lived Ginny on stage. She’s another who seemed to have walked off the pages of the book and onto the stage. Also, I can’t pair another Ginny with Jamie P’s Harry. It just wouldn’t be right. They are everything Hinny should be together.
Emma is my cover Ginny for a couple of reasons. Firstly, I haven’t seen Lowri enough times to choose her in good faith. Secondly, I think that Emma does some absolutely beautiful things with Ginny. I love her focus on Albus throughout the play – she prioritises him over Harry at so many points, and that motherly ferocity is a beautiful thing. For that relationship between Ginny and Albus, she has to be my cover.
*
James Potter Jr/Sr & Cedric Diggory – Tom Milligan (Jordan Paris)
Milligan captured the spirit of James in a beautiful way, so I have to pick him. Hilarious as younger James, grown-up and noble as older James, and his “see you at Christmas, Dad!” will never be matched (although attempts have definitely been made). I also realised at the weekend how much I miss his Cedric, especially when Mackley is on as Albus. Their maze scenes were a thing to behold.
And as my cover, I’ve picked Jordan, because he’s silently become one of my favourites. I love both his Jameses, and his Cedric is wonderful. I don’t really have much explanation behind this one, aside from the fact that I enjoy his attitude on stage and the quality of his acting. He’s not overly showy, and his Cedric in particular really shines because of that.
*
Ron Weasley – Thomas Aldridge (Paul Thornley)
Tom may not physically match the perfect description of Ron, but in terms of the character he’s everything you could possibly want. From the bubbly humour, to the gentle ribbing of his family and friends, to the way he sneaks sweets to James in the opening scene, he’s just a dream. I also love the things he brings to the other timelines. In the second there’s the desperate desire to find people and places he loves and escape his miserable life, the bravery he tries to dredge up around Hermione, and his soft despair at never getting her. In the Voldemort world he’s trying to fill Harry’s role as a hero, but he’s also so much himself. And of course I can’t possibly talk about Tom without mentioning that glorious animosity with Draco. Tom is literally my dream Ron. Literally.
And I have to take Thornley as my cover. I wildly enjoyed every one of the performances he gave. He and Alex set the standard for Draco and Ron’s hatred. He was so funny, and he established some things about Ron that will be with the character forever – Scrupius, for example, and the kneeling during the reproposal. He set the bar, and he set it really high.
*
Rose Granger-Weasley – Helen Aluko (Rayxia Ojo)
Helen is such a sweet, dynamic Rose. I love how she teases Scorpius relentlessly, and her facial expressions during the opening scenes of the show are a constant delight. My favourite moment from Helen, though, the moment where she steals the show, is her reaction to the conversation in McGonagall’s office when the kids are eavesdropping. She’s heartbroken, and then she’s angry at her mum, and then she collapses back into heartbreak again. There’s so much there, and she never says a word.
I’ve chosen Rayxia as my cover Rose because I think she has a brilliant, unique take on the character. She’s such a vulnerable Rose. Even though she seems so much older (like Albus’s older and more glamorous cousin) she’s broken, and she needs him to be her friend. I love that take on it, and I’ve never seen anyone else do something like it.
*
Hermione Granger – Nicola Alexis (Rakie Ayola)
Nicola was playing Hermione for the best performance I’ve ever seen, so she will always have a special place in my heart. I think she’s the perfect middle ground between Rakie and Noma – wild and intense but not too much. She seems to have chemistry with absolutely everyone. I love her playful side, like the way she explores her hair and gives Harry a poke in the back of the head during the Polyjuice transformation. I also adore her Voldemort timeline, and her exploration of her character through developing shades of lipstick (including smearing pink lipstick all over Tom A’s face during the baby or a holiday scene) is one of my favourite memories.
Rakie is my cover Hermione because I adore how she plays the friendship between Hermione and Harry in particular. The moment when Harry walks into his office at the start of the play and we see Hermione and Harry alone together and really interacting for the first time is a beautiful chance to see how they’ve grown but also stayed the same. I also adore the way she plays the Romione moments, from her sheer despair in the second timeline when she’s alone, through to the complete, childlike joy of the reproposal.
*
Scorpius Malfoy – Samuel Blenkin (James Le Lacheur)
There is no Scorpius beyond Samuel for me. His performance is masterful; that library scene is a piece of art. Right from the start he took a role that had been so memorably established and made it completely his own. He can go from hilarious to heartbroken in a second. He cries more than I thought possible, and he’s so creative, with such beautiful, deep thoughts about the show and the character. He’s the person behind Draco handing Scorpius Delphi’s wand after the duel – a stunning display of the trust between them, and the development of their relationship – but he’s also responsible for the ‘I love Krum’ chant. He’s mischievous, confident, warm; with such brilliant dynamic and emotional range, and a love of everything he does on stage. I could go on and on, but there’s no reason not to pick him as my dream Scorpius.
James Le Lacheur is my cover Scorpius because her performance has such a special place in my heart. I saw her first ever show, and her last. I adored the way she played out the relationship between Scorpius and Albus. The impulsion in her acting was beautiful, with so much thought and intent. You could always see what Scorpius was thinking and how it was guiding his footsteps. And of course, that little Dark Mark arm rub in McGonagall’s office will forever live in my memory. I only wish we could have seen her and Theo together, because I think it would have been a thing of delight (and I’m not sure any of us would have survived).
*
Madame Hooch/Aunt Petunia/Umbridge – Lowri James (Elizabeth Hill)
Lowri has been my favourite Petunia/Umbridge for a long time. I adore the emotion of her Petunia, which is perfectly balanced, and she’s a masterful Umbridge. I think she finds the perfect placing for these characters that are so easy to overdo or take to a place that isn’t true to the books.
Elizabeth is my cover for Petunia/Umbridge for very similar reasons. She’s brilliant as Petunia, again finding just the right emotional place for her. As Umbridge she’s creepy and wonderful. Her stroking of the fur coat is just the right amount of gross, although she sometimes is a little bit too creepy for me.
*
Craig Bowker Jr – James Phoon (Jeremy Ang Jones)
It was so hard to pick between these two rays of sunshine, but in the end I had to pick James first because I’ve seen him work with Samuel and I know it’s perfect. This might have been the toughest choice though, so I’m not going to write separate explanatory paragraphs for each. They’re both glorious human beings, with the most adorable Craigs. However, I will say that I love James’s movement, and the fluffiness of his hair as he runs round the suitcases at the start of the show will never not warm my heart.
*
Polly Chapman – Leah Haile (Rayxia Ojo)
Leah is the prettiest Polly. That’s all you really need to know. I just think she’s glorious, and she’s a delight to watch. I would pick her as Polly every time just because she shines on stage.
I have better reasons for picking Rayxia as my cover. I’ve only seen her once, but the intent in her performance really impressed me, especially in the Voldemort timeline. She gives Polly this very grand air, with a sense of uncertainty and vulnerability. It’s very clear that she’s using Scorpius to establish her position in the world. She’s trying to marry into money and status, and it’s her way of making herself secure. I love that really clear take on the scene.
*
Yann Fredericks – James Le Lacheur (Henry Rundle)
Yann is one of those roles that doesn’t really feel established until whoever is playing him has covered Scorpius. He’s quite quiet, and the flair only comes out once his actor has had a chance to dig into the real meat of the play. Hence, I’ve picked the two cover Scorpiuses!
James Le Lacheur goes ahead of Rundle only really because she established the role, and I think she did have more intensity of character, however I love Rundle’s take too, and I can’t wait to see him grow into it more over the next few months.
*
Karl Jenkins/Dudley Dursley – Tom Mackley (Jack North)
Mackley has to be my choice for Karl/Dudley. He brings so much flair and humour to the roles, and his Dudley in particular is very memorable for its ridiculousness. Probably my favourite thing he does as Karl is when he stabs Scorpius in the stomach with the handle of his wand during the line “spill some proper Mudblood guts”. We all need to thank whoever gave Mackley a permanent speaking role, because I am never disappointed.
I have to pick Jack as my cover because I loved his movement so much. He brought so much quality to the track, and it was something I never failed to appreciate, and will never forget.
*
Viktor Krum – Jack North
I have to split out Krum because of my two principals neither played Krum! Jack had such perfection of movement and precision as Krum, and it’s one of the things I still miss most about the original cast.
*
Trolley Witch – Sandy McDade (Morag Cross)
I have to split up the Trolley Witch and McGonagall because I do have different preferences. For the Trolley Witch, I love Sandy’s authoritativeness, which I’ve always found carries perfectly through the scene. However, I’ll take Morag as my cover because she’s great too.
*
Professor McGonagall – Morag Cross (Sandy McDade)
Morag is my choice for McGonagall because I feel such an emotional connection to her performance. Before I saw Cursed Child I’d never really thought about McGonagall or felt too much about her, but there was one show where Morag’s scene after the lake made me cry, so she’s the reason I love McGonagall so much. The emotion she brings is simple beautiful, and I’m always excited to see her.
One of the reasons I fell in love with Cursed Child the first time I saw it was how perfect the professors felt, including McGonagall, and Sandy’s performance was a big part of that. I adore her performance, and recently I love how she’s started emphasising one of her lines differently, giving it a new meaning. When Hermione asks “What did I miss?” when she walks into the post-lake conversation, McGonagall’s reply ends with “Maybe you missed that.” It’s an emphasis that makes so much sense, but I’ve only noticed it recently, and I love it.
*
Draco Malfoy – James Howard (Ed White)
There is only one choice for Draco. James is perfect. He is Draco, in the way that Jamie Parker is Harry. He was born for the role and I can’t imagine him doing anything else. The strength and authority in his voice is what sets him apart from everyone else, as well as his interpretation of the character, especially in the scene in Draco’s office.
Recently he’s started explicitly playing Draco as being under cover in the Voldemort timeline, which I adore. He glances around before speaking to Scorpius about what he’s up to, and those tiny details are what makes his performance special. Other highlights are playing with his wedding ring when he speaks about Astoria, bracing himself on the desk facing away from Scorpius when he says he can’t lose him too, and that delightful chin grab, where he takes hold of Scorpius’s chin and examines him before declaring that there’s more Astoria in there than he thought. I could go on, but all you need to know is that it’s James, and it will always be James.
I had trouble picking my cover, but in the end I’ve gone for Ed simply because he works beautifully with Samuel (and because James L and Alex don’t work together at all), and because he did the best Draco’s office scene ever. When a Draco puts his hand on Scorpius’s heart as he says there’s more Astoria in there than he thought you just can’t say no to him. He’s my guilty pleasure Draco, everything I want but know I shouldn’t have, and I adore him for that.
*
Amos Diggory/Professor Dumbledore – Barry McCarthy (Martin Johnston)
Until Sunday I really wouldn’t have had a choice here, but I have now (finally) seen Martin, so this is actually a choice!
I’ve taken Barry first because he is the perfect Dumbledore, and because I love his Amos so much. There are so many tiny details that he’s changed in response to the new cast, and he’s a consummate professional. His Dumbledore really is part of the magic of the show that captured me when I first saw it.
I found Martin’s Dumbledore captivating, and I loved the fragility and vulnerability of it – that was the thing that most broke me when I saw him. I also love the flamboyant grace with which he dismissed the trees in the Forbidden Forest. It really was a thing of beautiful magic. So I feel no qualms in making him my cover, and who knows, when I’ve seen him more times I might end up preferring him!
*
Delphi Diggory – Annabel Baldwin (Esther Smith)
This was such a hard choice, because I love all three ladies who play Delphi with all my heart and soul. Annabel almost didn’t make it into my top two because I love her Lily too much (and I need her and Milligan to be James and Lily together), but then I came to my senses and realised it was stupid not to pick her.
Annabel has been my favourite Delphi since the first time I saw her. She is a captivating actress, who holds the theatre in the palm of her hand, especially in the torture scene. I love when she goes rogue and slaps the boys or kicks Craig (can someone get the directors to always let her get away with that? Because it’s great). She’s so sinister, and she can bring such powerful performances to the stage, especially in the scene in the church between Delphi and fake Voldemort. She’s just brilliant, and it would be a crime not to take her as Delphi every single time.
I picked Esther as my cover Delphi because I always found her performance so beautiful. She’s not the most creepy or terrifying Delphi ever, but she did some amazing things. I still remember her sobbing in the St Jerome’s scene during ‘the best show ever’, and I loved her hand choreography when she was reciting the prophecy – Annabel does a slightly different version, and I still miss Esther’s sometimes.
*
Uncle Vernon/Severus Snape/Voldemort – David Annen (David Annen)
Sorry but I refuse to pick a Snape other than David. I refuse. His performance is too special to be replaced. He has such an innate understanding of his characters, especially Snape and Voldemort, which comes from deep readings of the books. He cares so much about these characters, and it’s amazing.
He came up with his Voldemort voice by reading every description of Voldemort speaking from the books. As Snape, the messages he writes on the blackboard are messages of hope to Snape’s students who are struggling in that world. Those special details are simply irreplaceable.
*
Moaning Myrtle – April Hughes (Annabel Baldwin)
April learned her Myrtle voice listening to the films, and she’d practice it while she made dinner at home. She’s ridiculous, and that voice is perfect. I love the brilliant details she puts in the background of the Myrtle scenes (shaking her head when Albus tells Scorpius everything is going to be okay, waving her feet around by Harry’s head but never quite touching him, and very slowly lifting her leg up in the most flirtatious way when she says “I do like brave boys”). I didn’t think anyone could ever replace Annabel, but she managed it.
Annabel is of course my cover Myrtle because how could she not be? Also, she then gets to play Lily with Milligan, which is the real dream.
*
Bane – Adam McNamara (Nuno Silva)
Is this my most controversial choice? I think it might be...
I saw Adam’s Bane several times leading up to cast change, and I have abiding memories of the intensity of it. That performance made a huge impact on me. The acting was brilliant, especially the way he appealed to Harry. Those were some of the best Bane scenes I’ve watched.
And Nuno is my cover Bane because I love him just as much. Always consistently brilliant. Delivering show in, show out. I’m always mesmerised by the way he breathes in this scene for some reason. It fascinates me. And I love the strength and anger in his performance.
*
Station Master – James McGregor (Adam McNamara)
James McGregor’s Station Master is basically the cutest thing in the world. He just looks so young and adorable, and his Scottish accent makes me melt.
And obviously I can’t not pick Adam, because there is no Scottish accent like Adam’s. His Station Master was incomprehensible, just the way he should be. No one will ever match that.
*
Young Harry Potter – Harrison Noble (Jabez Cheeseman)
Harrison is an incredible little actor. He’s just perfect. My favourite scene of his is the dream at the beginning of Act Two, where he’s so intense. You can hear the fear in his breathing. He’s stunning.
Jabez is my cover because he was a close second behind Harrison before he left for me. The day we found out he was leaving was a sad day indeed, and I miss him a lot.
*
Lily Potter Jr – Ella Bright (Hope Sizer)
I want a Lily to be tiny and bubbly and full of life, and both Ella and Hope did that. Ella’s the sweetest thing, and she fits with the rest of the Potters so well. I picked Hope second because I always enjoyed her performances and looked forward to seeing her when she was on.
Cast Board for today! Tom Mackley as Albus Potter Lowri James as Hooch and Petunia Andrew McDonald as Vernon and Station Master Adam McNamara as Bane James Howard as Snape
Cast board for the weekend - Tom Mackley as Albus Potter Lowri James as Ginny Potter James Howard as Draco Malfoy Martin Johnston as Amos Diggory Adam McNamara as Bane Andrew McDonald as Station Master
Cast list for this week: - Lowri James as Ginny Potter - Jack North as James Potter Jr - Jack Bennett as Ron Weasley - Josh Wyatt as Craig Bowker Jr - Tom Mackley as Karl Jenkins *probably some changes at the weekend*
Okay so a few changes for the weekend Annabel Baldwin is on as Delphi Diggory Jack Bennett is on as Ron Weasley Lowri James is on as Ginny Weasley Chipo Kureya as Moaning Myrtle
Skitterbang Island @ The Little Angel Theatre Review
Skitterbang Island @ The Little Angel Theatre Review
The worlds of treasure troves and sailing ships are usually assigned to the likes of swashbuckling pirates in pursuit of new undiscovered lands and wealth; chronicled into the pages of many fictionalised tales, characters find themselves pre-occupied with the many arduous adventures and quests that stand in their way. For one young protagonist, however, this becomes an unexpected reality as she…
