Our verdict on Harry Potter and The Cursed Child parts 1 and 2 as the UK returns to Rowling’s wizarding world

THE magic of live theatre collides with the spellbinding wonder of Harry Potter to create an unforgettable, bewitching new stage show.

Harry Potter and The Cursed Child Parts 1 and 2, a JK Rowling backed eighth story that follows on from the blockbuster book series, provides a theatrical spectacle unlike anything the West End has seen.

The tricks, thrill and shocks that fill this four act return to Harry and pals wizarding world has the audience shrieking and gasping in disbelief at what they are seeing unfold before their eyes.

Polyjuice potions transform, centaurs gallop, broomsticks fly and wizards tumble through the air - often without wires or any technical trickery at all.

This makes all the set pieces even more enchanting and impressive than the CGI effects of the movie as you wonder just how they are pulling all this off.

Of course the story has to be up to scratch as well and the five hour plus (audiences have to come back for two instalments to see the whole thing) epic starts 19 years after the last book when our boy wizard has become a harassed middle-aged dad.

The original trio share equal billing with Hogwarts: The Next Generation

This time however the original trio – Harry played by Jamie Parker, Hermione, (Norma Dumezweni) and Ron (Paul Thornley) – share equal billing with Hogwarts: The Next Generation with Albus Severus Potter (Sam Clemmett) and Scorpius Malfoy (Anthony Boyle) at the forefront of the action.

A growing estrangement between Harry and youngest son Albus is at the core of the narrative with the youngster’s decision to attempt time-travelling causing unexpected havoc that – sometimes unexpected – heroes and heroines have to solve.

Director John Tiffanny and writer Jack Thorne know how to keep the nostalgia and wonder coming at every step

With Rowling herself begging audiences to refrain from spoiling the many plot-twists that fill the breakneck speed plot, it’s hard to say much more about how the action unfolds and what familiar faces – noseless or not – end up making an appearance.

Strip away the spectacle and the humour – Ron has some absolutely corking lines and Scorpius Malfoy is a wonderfully nerdy addition to the universe – and the, at times over complicated plot, is a little cumbersome and convenient.

And despite the play growing darker as it goes on, sadly the new villain lacks none of Voldemort’s spine chilling menace despite a promising backstory.

But director John Tiffanny and writer Jack Thorne know how to keep the nostalgia and wonder coming at every step along the way so any faults are quickly forgiven and forgotten.

A once in a lifetime theatrical experience that fans have to see to believe.