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Here’s When Harry Potter Is Going From Page to Stage

Archive Images of JK Rowling at the launch of Harry Potter and The Goblet of Fire
Fred Duval—FilmMagic J.K. Rowling at the launch of Harry Potter and The Goblet of Fire at King's Cross Station in London.

Over 450 million copies of the books sold

J.K. Rowling’s wildly popular Harry Potter franchise is going from the page — and the big screen — to the stage.

The play, dubbed “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child,” is due to open at London’s Palace Theatre in summer 2016, the Associated Press reported.

The play is not a prequel to the Harry Potter novels, but rather focuses on a part of Harry’s story that has yet to be told. The seven novels by Rowling sold over 450 million copies. There were also eight films, with another on the way in 2016.

This is the first play from the franchise and is based on work from Rowling, Jack Thorne — a stage and screenwriter — and director John Tiffany, according to the report. The production will also feature music by British songwriter Imogen Heap, the AP said.

“I’ve had countless offers to extend Harry’s story over the years, but Jack, John and (producer) Sonia Friedman are a dream team!” wrote Rowling in a tweet.

Tickets are slated to go on sale in the fall, according to the play’s official website Harrypottertheplaylondon.com.

11 Real-Life Harry Potter Destinations You Can Visit

Salem Witch Museum in Salem, Mass. 'Potter' fans may not be able to pay a visit to Olivander's Wand Shop in real life, but Wynott's Wands will get them pretty close. Visitors say that the teeny shop feels just like something out of J.K. Rowling's imagination, and is located in the magical capital of America: Salem, Mass. A game during the Quidditch World Cup in Myrtle Beach, S.C. on April 5, 2014. It may have originated as a magical sport, but Quidditch has made its way to the muggle world. And thanks to a number of seriously devoted Potter fans, you can attend the Quidditch World Cup, just like Ron, Harry, and Hermione did in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. The good news is that unlike in the book, the real-life Quidditch World Cup is held annually, in April – this year in South Carolina. The Millennium Bridge in London. If you're traveling to London, a stop by the Millennium Bridge is necessary for all visitors – but especially Potter fans. In 'Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince,' readers learn that the bridge was destroyed by Death Eaters sent by Voldemort. In reality, the bridge still stands today, and is the perfect path from St. Paul's Cathedral to the Tate Modern. The London Zoo in London. The London Zoo doesn't appear on screen in 'Harry Potter' for long – but the scene it does appear in is significant. Harry communicates with a snake, later revealed to be due to his ability to speak parseltongue, which becomes a fairly significant plot throughout the series. Visit the reptile enclave at the London Zoo to see where it all began. The Hogwarts Express The Jacobite running by Glenfinnan Viaduct in Lochaber, Scotland. Looking for an attraction that will scratch your 'Harry Potter' sight-seeing itch and satisfy your travel companions? Try the Jacobite, a steam train that runs along the western coast of Scotland, giving travelers a gorgeous view of the Scottish countryside – and make you feel like you're riding the Hogwarts Express in real life. 'Potter' fans should keep their eyes peeled for the Glenfinnan viaduct, the 21-arched overpass that is seen in the film. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios in Osaka, Japan. If you don't want to cross the Atlantic but have a hankering for a day (or two!) full of 'Harry Potter,' best to head down to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, a theme park in Orlando, Fla. Parkgoers can explore Hogwarts, Hogsmeade, the Hogwarts Express and Diagon Alley, all with a butterbeer in hand. The Grand Hall, Christ Church, Oxford University in Oxford, U.K. When it comes to 'Harry Potter,' few sights are as iconic as Hogwarts's Great Hall. In the film, young witches and wizards from each house gather around long tables for meals and ceremonial events – much like the students at Christ Church, a college at Oxford University. Visitors can get a peek at the real thing during a visit to the college – if there isn't an educational event going on, of course. Durham Cathedral in Durham, England. Remember that snowy courtyard Harry walked through with his pet owl, Hedwig, in 'Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone'? You can take your own stroll through the same spot during a visit to the Durham Cathedral. Alnwick Castle in Northumberland, England. This Medieval castle was used as a set for the fictional Hogwarts School for Witchcraft and Wizardry in the first two Harry Potter films. You'll see Alnwick in familiar scenes like Harry's first broomstick flying lesson in 'Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone' or Ron's flying car crash in 'Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.' The Black Park in Iver, England. Thrill seekers can find Harry Potter's Forbidden Forest come to life at the Black Park in Iver, England. The spiders, however, won't come in larger-than-life form – we hope.
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