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LONDON — Have you ever wondered what life in a cupboard under the stairs was like for the orphan Harry Potter?
A new play being co-produced by J.K. Rowling is set to "offer a unique insight into the heart and mind of the now legendary young wizard" as a prequel to the popular books, according to a statement on the author's website. Favorite characters from the series will make an appearance in this exploration of Harry's years as an outcast in the muggle world.
The play is targeted to open within two year's in London's famous West End. Rowling is collaborating on development of the play with award-winning producers Sonia Friedman and Colin Callender.
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For those of you who have been sitting in your basement clutching on to your wand since the Harry Potter series ended, I have good news for you. For those of you who are grateful the wizarding world of Harry finally released its clutches on the world, I have terrible news for you."Over the years I have received countless approaches about turning Harry Potter into a theatrical production, but Sonia and Colin’s vision was the only one that really made sense to me, and which had the sensitivity, intensity and intimacy I thought appropriate for bringing Harry's story to the stage," Rowling said.
While Rowling will be a producer for the play, she will not be writing the script herself. Writers and directors are currently being considered, with development for the project expected to begin in 2014.
Rowling said after a year of gestation, she is excited to see the project move into the next phase. Friedman's previous work as a producer include the musical "The Book of Mormon and Callendar produced "Lucky Guy" with Tom Hanks.
This is not the only Harry Potter spin-off Rowling is involved with — she is currently poised to make her screenwriting debut with a movie adaptation of her book "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them." The movie is meant to be an expansion of the wizard world and will follow the adventures of Newt Scamander, the author of one of Harry Potter's textbooks.
