Harry Potter and the Cursed Child: Book Tickets Now

See Harry Potter and the Cursed Child at the Palace Theatre, on Cambridge Circus at the junction of Shaftesbury Avenue and Charing Cross Road, where the two-part stage play has continued the story since 2016.

Good to Know About Harry Potter and the Cursed Child

The story is told across two separate tickets: Part One runs approximately 2 hours 40 minutes and Part Two approximately 2 hours 35 minutes, each including a 20-minute interval. One ticket does not cover the whole story, and the two parts are normally seen together, either on the same day or across two consecutive evenings.

Recommended for ages 8 and over: Children under 5 are not admitted to either part.

Under-15s must be accompanied: Every audience member under 15 needs to be seated next to a ticket-holding adult.

Everyone needs their own seat: Babes-in-arms are not permitted, and every guest, regardless of age, must hold a valid ticket.

The staging uses loud noises, strobe lighting and stage illusions: The production relies on traditional stagecraft and physical illusion rather than video screens.

Arrive at least 30 minutes before curtain: Bags are searched on arrival and large suitcases or heavy luggage are not permitted inside; latecomers are seated only at a suitable break in the performance.

This two-part run is booking only until 20 September 2026: the production moves to a new single-part format later in autumn 2026, marking the show’s 10th anniversary in the West End.

Each part includes one 20-minute interval: Bars and merchandise kiosks are open on every tier before the show and during the interval.

About Harry Potter and the Cursed Child

Cast members of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child performing on stage at the Palace Theatre

Based on an original new story by J.K. Rowling, John Tiffany and Jack Thorne, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is a stage sequel set nineteen years after the events of the original book series. Harry Potter is now an overworked Ministry of Magic employee grappling with a past that refuses to stay buried, while his younger son, Albus Severus Potter, wrestles with the weight of his family's legacy as he begins his own journey at Hogwarts. As past and present collide, a new generation of witches and wizards must confront uncomfortable truths.

The play is staged using traditional stagecraft and physical illusion rather than video screens, with an original score composed by Grammy Award-winning musician Imogen Heap.

Interesting Facts About Harry Potter and the Cursed Child

The West End production won 9 Olivier Awards in 2017, including Best New Play and Best Director, from 11 nominations.

The Broadway production has gone on to win 6 Tony Awards from 10 nominations, including Best Play.

The rehearsal script was published as a book on 31 July 2016, the day after the West End opening, and became a bestseller.

The Palace Theatre was extensively restored to host the production, including custom Hogwarts house-themed carpeting throughout the building.

The production has sold more than 6 million tickets worldwide since it opened.

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child previewed at the Palace Theatre from 7 June 2016 and opened on 30 July 2016.

The Palace Theatre itself first opened in January 1891 as the Royal English Opera House, designed by architect Thomas Edward Collcutt for impresario Richard D'Oyly Carte.

The production was suspended in March 2020 because of the pandemic and resumed at the Palace Theatre in October 2021.

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child - Highlights in Pictures

Scene from Harry Potter and the Cursed Child at the Palace Theatre

Stage illusion effect from Harry Potter and the Cursed Child at the Palace Theatre

Palace Theatre

Cambridge Circus, 113 Shaftesbury Avenue, London, W1D 5AY, on the border of Soho and Chinatown

Around 1,400 seats across four tiers: Stalls, Dress Circle, Grand Circle and Balcony

Opened in January 1891 as the Royal English Opera House, becoming a music hall the following year

Getting There

By Tube
By Bus
By Car

By Tube

Leicester Square station, a short walk from the theatre, is served by the Northern and Piccadilly lines.

Tottenham Court Road station, also a short walk away, connects to the Central, Northern and Elizabeth lines.
Piccadilly Circus station, served by the Bakerloo and Piccadilly lines, is a further option, and Charing Cross is the closest National Rail mainline station.

Palace Theatre - Facilities and Accessibility

Bars and merchandise kiosks are available on all four tiers, with programmes, snacks and drinks available before the show and during the interval. Because the theatre's 1891 Victorian design has no public lift, reaching the upper tiers means using the building's stairs: 2 to the foyer, 20 to the Stalls (with a 3-step alternative route), 30 to the Dress Circle, 56 to the Grand Circle and 77 to the Balcony.

A step-free entrance on Shaftesbury Avenue leads into the foyer and directly to the Stalls, where wheelchair park-and-transfer spaces and companion seating are located.
A fully accessible, unisex toilet is on the same ground-floor level, near the wheelchair positions.
Access patrons are advised to arrive around 45 minutes before the performance, allowing time for entry via the side entrance.
The auditorium has a Sennheiser radio-frequency assisted hearing system, with in-ear and neckloop receivers issued first come, first served; the system is not Bluetooth-enabled.

FAQs about Harry Potter and the Cursed Child at Palace Theatre

What is Harry Potter and the Cursed Child about?

Set nineteen years after the events of the original book series, the play follows Harry Potter, now an overworked Ministry of Magic employee grappling with his past, and his younger son Albus Severus Potter, who wrestles with the weight of his family's legacy as he begins his own journey at Hogwarts.

Do I need to book Part One and Part Two separately?

Yes. Part One and Part Two are sold as separate tickets, normally seen together on the same day or on two consecutive evenings; one ticket does not cover both parts.

How long is each part of the show?

Part One runs approximately 2 hours 40 minutes and Part Two approximately 2 hours 35 minutes, each including a 20-minute interval.

How long is the whole story if I see both parts?

Combined, the two parts run for roughly 5 hours 15 minutes, not counting the gap between the two performances.

What age guidance applies to Harry Potter and the Cursed Child?

The production is recommended for ages 8 and over, and children under 5 are not admitted to either part.

Can children attend or sit on a parent's lap?

No. Babes-in-arms are not permitted, every guest needs their own ticket regardless of age, and under-15s must be seated next to a ticket-holding adult.

What kind of special effects does the show use?

The staging includes loud noises, strobe lighting and stage illusions created through traditional stagecraft and physical illusion rather than video screens.

What is the theatre's policy on bags and luggage?

Bags are searched on arrival, and large suitcases or heavy luggage are not permitted inside the theatre.

How early should I arrive before the show?

At least 30 minutes before curtain, to allow time for security checks; latecomers are seated only at a suitable break in the performance.

Is the Palace Theatre step-free accessible?

Yes. A step-free entrance on Shaftesbury Avenue leads into the foyer and directly to the Stalls, where wheelchair park-and-transfer spaces and companion seating are located.

What is the nearest tube station to the Palace Theatre?

Leicester Square station, served by the Northern and Piccadilly lines, is the closest, a short walk from the theatre.

Will the two-part format continue?

This two-part run is booking only until 20 September 2026; the production then moves to a new single-part format later in autumn 2026, marking the show's 10th anniversary in the West End.