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  • Event Reports / The Daily Prophet

First Look: Warner Bros. Studio Tour Opens Number Four, Privet Drive

by Claire Furner · May 13, 2016

The Warner Bros. Studio Tour continues to ramp up its celebrations for the Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone 15th anniversary with its latest offering: the opening of Privet Drive. 

From May 27 to June 6, visitors to the studio will, for “the first time ever,” be able to step over the infamous threshold and get a peek inside the Dursleys’ home. To mark this unique occasion, the Studio Tour hosted a preview event, which MuggleNet’s London Team was kindly invited along to. 

#PrivetDrive is open from May 26 to June 6, as part of the Philosopher's Stone 15th Anniversary celebrations. pic.twitter.com/gcE3nB1tjB

— ᴍᴜɢɢʟᴇɴᴇᴛ ʟɪᴠᴇ (@MuggleNetLive) May 10, 2016

Into the screening room we go! #PrivetDrive pic.twitter.com/Ot721ewEfA

— ᴍᴜɢɢʟᴇɴᴇᴛ ʟɪᴠᴇ (@MuggleNetLive) May 10, 2016

Champagne reception aside, the evening commenced with a tour around the Interior Sets section, albeit with a few new additions.

"Ha, another Weasley! I know just what to do with you. Gryffindor!" #PrivetDrive #philosphersstone pic.twitter.com/ykFHSVsZdh

— ᴍᴜɢɢʟᴇɴᴇᴛ ʟɪᴠᴇ (@MuggleNetLive) May 10, 2016

Another special prop for the 15th Anniversary celebrations. #PrivetDrive #KingsCross pic.twitter.com/TM2QzXgpoU

— ᴍᴜɢɢʟᴇɴᴇᴛ ʟɪᴠᴇ (@MuggleNetLive) May 10, 2016

Oculus Reparo! #PrivetDrive #philosphersstone #HarryPotter pic.twitter.com/ZheXVpyk4N

— ᴍᴜɢɢʟᴇɴᴇᴛ ʟɪᴠᴇ (@MuggleNetLive) May 10, 2016

While most of these extras are part of the film anniversary celebrations, the Privet Drive exhibit has also brought a few additional items out of storage, including the Dursleys’ costumes.

Look at Dudders' ickle jumper! #PrivetDrive #Dursleyfamily pic.twitter.com/XC9UaeOmZt

— ᴍᴜɢɢʟᴇɴᴇᴛ ʟɪᴠᴇ (@MuggleNetLive) May 10, 2016

Among the more interactive features is a uniquely created machine from special effects supervisor John Richardson, as used in the first film.

Demo of the letter firing special effect from Philospher's Stone. #PrivetDrive @wbtourlondon pic.twitter.com/9PG1PwMQVy

— ᴍᴜɢɢʟᴇɴᴇᴛ ʟɪᴠᴇ (@MuggleNetLive) May 10, 2016

Richardson himself was present at the event, along with MinaLima and Rosie Goodwin, a set decorator on the films, whom MuggleNet took a moment to catch up with.

The "most challenging" set to dress was the Room of Requirement! #PrivetDrive #harrypotter pic.twitter.com/IRNeK6Re7u

— ᴍᴜɢɢʟᴇɴᴇᴛ ʟɪᴠᴇ (@MuggleNetLive) May 10, 2016

The team ended up creating models from doll's house furniture! #PrivetDrive #roomofrequirement

— ᴍᴜɢɢʟᴇɴᴇᴛ ʟɪᴠᴇ (@MuggleNetLive) May 10, 2016

As we moved further through the tour, it became apparent that this event was a little more than a preview event for bloggers! And sure enough, after a short wait behind the red carpet, a surprise guest made an appearance…

This looks rather fancy!🚪✉️⚡️ #PrivetDrive pic.twitter.com/iwhgEwe1xT

— ᴍᴜɢɢʟᴇɴᴇᴛ ʟɪᴠᴇ (@MuggleNetLive) May 10, 2016

And it was none other than Aunt Petunia herself, Fiona Shaw, ready to kick off the celebrations. After a brief photo op and the obligatory ribbon cut, the door to number four, Privet Drive was opened.

'It's great to be back home' – Fiona Shaw (Aunt Petunia) opening #PrivetDrive at @wbtourlondon pic.twitter.com/958y39OB7M

— Wizarding World (@wizardingworld) May 10, 2016

And naturally, caused a bit of congestion. However, after a short wait, we were able to get inside and take a look around.

As seen in the films, the front door opens immediately onto a hallway lined with floral wallpaper and certificates of Dudley’s achievements. On the right are the stairs to what would have been the bedrooms, but thanks to some movie magic, which meant that indoor scenes were mostly shot within the studios, it’s actually just some scaffolding. Back in the hallway, the first door on the left brings you to the Dursleys’ front room.

Just as seen on screen, it was complete with framed pictures of ickle Diddykins and fussy pot plants; the Dursleys’ could have just left the room. Well, almost. For hanging from the ceiling, shooting from the fireplace, and fluttering over the sofas, are hundreds of Hogwarts letters, as designed by MinaLima. Quite a sight to behold!

Another superb event @wbtourlondon! We depart with a final snap of No. 4 #PrivetDrive. pic.twitter.com/IYJj8RXvF8

— ᴍᴜɢɢʟᴇɴᴇᴛ ʟɪᴠᴇ (@MuggleNetLive) May 10, 2016

This new feature is a fitting addition to the anniversary celebrations and especially satisfying for any previous attendees to finally get past that door! It’s shame it won’t become a permanent addition, but changes such as this can only bode well for the future of the tour; even after four years, they continue to update and refresh the experience for the fans. We can only look forward to what they will reveal next!

Privet Drive will be open from May 27 to June 6, 2016, and tickets can be purchased directly from the Studio Tour website.

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