UPDATED: Universal Theme Park Closures and “Cursed Child” Germany Performances Postponed

by · March 13, 2020

As the effect of COVID-19 (the current coronavirus outbreak) is continuing to be felt across the world, further updates have been released about performances of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child and the Wizarding World of Harry Potter theme parks.

Following on from the news of canceled Harry Potter and the Cursed Child performances in San Francisco and New York, the German production of the play has postponed all performances until October 2020. Although already in previews, the production was set to have its premiere on March 15. In an announcement on Instagram, it was revealed that fans with tickets for performances up to (and including) September 30 will be contacted via email about their options for rebooking.

 

 

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„Ich bin mir bewusst, dass wir jetzt viele Menschen sehr traurig machen werden. Uns tut es wirklich wahnsinnig leid,“ bedauert Maik Klokow, CEO und Produzent der Mehr-BB Entertainment die Entscheidung: Die Premiere und alle Vorstellungen von Harry Potter und das verwunschene Kind werden aufgrund der aktuellen Entwicklung rund um das Coronavirus auf Oktober 2020 verschoben. Alle Gäste, die bereits Tickets für die Vorstellungen bis einschließlich 30. September 2020 gebucht haben, werden heute per E-Mail kontaktiert und über die Umbuchungsoptionen informiert. Alle Tickets behalten ihre Gültigkeit. Die heutige Vorstellung ist aufgrund der aktuellen Empfehlungen leider ebenfalls von der Verschiebung betroffen. Wir wissen, dass viele von euch eine lange Anreise hatten und sich auf die Shows gefreut haben. Uns geht es ähnlich. In den letzten Monaten haben wir viel Herzblut und Arbeit in die Vorbereitungen gesteckt und hatten uns riesig darauf gefreut, diese tolle Show mit euch teilen zu können. Dass sich die aktuellen Ereignisse in dieser Kurzfristigkeit so entwickeln würden, war so nicht absehbar. Wir haben uns diese Entscheidung nicht leicht gemacht und sind selber unfassbar traurig. In dieser besonderen Situation bitten wir euch – auch wenn es schwer ist – um euer Verständnis. Bleibt gesund! Alle Hintergründe findet ihr über den Link in unserem Profil.

A post shared by Harry Potter Theater (@hptheaterde) on

 

At the time of publication, performances of Cursed Child in the West End are continuing as normal. Following advice from the Australian government, the Melbourne production of Cursed Child will reduce audience capacity starting Monday, March 16.

Universal theme park locations have also been affected by the continuing spread of the virus.

Universal Studios Japan, which is currently the only Wizarding World of Harry Potter location in Asia, has been closed since February 29 and plans to reopen again on March 22. However, this is dependent on further advice from the Japanese government.

Universal Orlando Resort and Universal Studios Hollywood, both of which are home to Wizarding World of Harry Potter properties, have announced that they will be temporarily closing to help prevent the spread of the virus.

Universal Studios Hollywood will be closed from Saturday, March 14 until March 28, when it is hoped that the park might be able to reopen.

 

 

Universal Orlando Resort will be closed starting Sunday, March 15 and expects to be closed through the end of the month.

 

 

Both locations’ retail areas, Universal CityWalk, will remain open during the closures. Universal Orlando Resort’s hotels will also remain open.

While these closures and postponing of performances will be frustrating for some fans, the situation continues to change, so make sure to check in with MuggleNet for the latest information.

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UPDATE (March 16):

The Australian production of Cursed Child had planned on continuing at reduced capacity, but now the team has announced that shows have been canceled.

Performances at Melbourne’s Princess Theatre have been suspended through April 12, 2020. At that time, they’ll evaluate if they can begin performances again based on the advice of the government. If you have tickets for any performance during this suspension, you’ll be contacted.

Executive producer Michael Cassel commented on the decision:

I’m sure this news will be met with great disappointment amongst our devoted fans and affected audiences. I want to reassure them we will reignite the magic of ‘Harry Potter and the Cursed Child’ as soon as circumstances allow. We’ve welcomed a record-breaking 326,500 people through the doors over the past year, and our run in Melbourne remains a long-term commitment. Theatre has the power to uplift, inspire and entertain. We look forward to sharing that delight when performances resume.

Press Release

MEDIA STATEMENT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE MONDAY 16 MARCH 2020

The producers of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child have a commitment to the safety and peace of mind of all its audiences, cast and company, and theatre staff.

In line with the latest advice from the Australian Federal and Victorian Governments on the prevention of the spread of Covid-19, the producers will need to temporarily suspend performances of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child at Melbourne’s Princess Theatre, effective for performances this week through until Sunday 12 April 2020, when the suspension will be reviewed based on the most up-to-date government advice.

We fully understand that the cancellations are disappointing for ticket holders. Those who purchased tickets for performances from Wednesday 18 March until Sunday 12 April 2020 will be contacted by their point of purchase and refunded. Enquiries will be processed in order of the event date. As a large number of our customers are affected, we appreciate their patience during this time.

Information about the exact procedure is also available on our website, https://www.harrypottertheplay.com/au/.

Please be assured that the producers are working closely with government and health organisations in Australia to ensure we are following the very latest advice. Our website and social media channels will be regularly updated with the very latest information on the performance schedule and ticket exchange policy.

This suspension of performances is temporary and we encourage customers to rebook and not miss out on this magical experience. As cancelled dates unfortunately coincide with Victorian school holidays, we will soon be releasing an additional three weeks of performances across the September / October school holiday period, through to Sunday 4 October 2020.

Thanks for your understanding in this rapidly developing situation, where the health and safety of audiences and staff must come first. We look forward to welcoming audiences back to Harry Potter and the Cursed Child soon, when the magic continues on stage [sic]!

Australian Executive Producer Michael Cassel said: “I’m sure this news will be met with great disappointment amongst our devoted fans and affected audiences. I want to reassure them we will reignite the magic of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child as soon as circumstances allow. We’ve welcomed a record-breaking 326,500 people through the doors over the past year, and our run in Melbourne remains a long-term commitment. Theatre has the power to uplift, inspire and entertain. We look forward to sharing that delight when performances resume.”

 

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