Potterphiles will want to apparate to London in 2016, with the announcement that a Harry Potter play is on its way. Running at the Palace Theatre in the West End, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is billed as a prequel and will “explore the previously untold story of Harry’s early years as an orphan and outcast”.

The seven Harry Potter books have sold more than 450 million copies and spawned a movie franchise that has made around US$7 billion (Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them, one of three other companion books, is currently being developed into a movie starring Eddie Redmayne). The books and films have also inspired The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando and the Warner Bros. Studio Tour London.

Fans clearly go crazy for anything Harry-related, so expect tickets to this new play to be as difficult to grab as a golden snitch. They’re not on sale yet – keep checking the Palace Theatre website for further announcements.

Oh, and happy birthday to JK Rowling who turns 50 on 31 July – which just happens to be Harry’s birthday too!

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