Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is based on a story written by Jack Thorne and John Tiffany. The published text is a rehearsal script of the play, based on the works of J.K. Rowling, particularly the epilogue of the last Harry Potter novel, The Deathly Hallows. How does Albus Severus Potter, youngest child of Harry Potter, cope with the burden and societal pressure of having a family of heroes that defeated Lord Voldemort, as well as the legacies of his namesakes?
What to anticipate
When there is a literary sensation like the Harry Potter series concerned, which has enchanted billions of people for years, making a place in their hearts and imaginations, one expects it to be treated with more regard. The script is claimed to be the sequel to the series, yet I was hard pressed to find anything familiar in it.
There was hope from the premise for a fresh, interesting story showing Albus’ experiences at Hogwarts and how he may have gradually created his own identity alongside his siblings and cousins, maybe with a few squabbles and adventures. Instead, it was horrifying and mortifying to read a text that seems to be more of a mockery of the novels. Albus encounters resurrected issues from the novels and meddles with them with little sense. The Cursed Child is a botched up mishmash of horribly recycled storylines with ridiculous and cringe worthy scenes that lack intelligence.
Many important characters are missing, with the rest completely out of character. Hermione fails to be intelligent and perceptive, Ron is a buffoon, McGonagall has no self-respect, and Harry is an ill-mannered and clueless bad parent. I refuse to believe that, no matter the pressures of daily work and family life, Harry would claim to regret the existence of a child to their face, or lament over the lack of father figures in his own life!
The saving grace of The Cursed Child’s script that’s riddled with mediocre writing, diction, and gaping plot holes, are Draco Malfoy and his son Scorpius of all people. Scorpius is Albus’ best friend and is the only ray of sunshine in the entire text.