Today, 30 July 2026, the critically acclaimed multi-award-winning original production of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child celebrates 10 incredible years at its West End home, the Palace Theatre.
Produced by Sonia Friedman Productions, Colin Callender and Harry Potter Theatrical Productions, the spellbinding London production of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child opened at the Palace Theatre in 2016 marking a ground-breaking moment in UK theatre, captivating audiences and critics alike with its illusions, theatrical magic and emotional depth of Jack Thorne’s script, brought to life on stage by director John Tiffany. A decade on, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child celebrates the unprecedented achievement of being the longest running play in modern West End history to be performed as a two-part theatrical experience.
Enthralling audiences from around the world Harry Potter and the Cursed Child has now been seen by over 2.5 million people at the Palace Theatre, including over 300,000 first time theatregoers. A total of 276 cast members have taken to the Palace Theatre stage over the last 10 years, including 45 actors making their professional stage debut. There have been a combined total of 1,762 performances of Part 1 and Part 2, delivering over 8,300 hours of performance time.
Jack Thorne said: “Creating Harry Potter and the Cursed Child has been a truly wonderful experience, and we are all delighted to be celebrating 10 years in the West End. From the very beginning, it has been a collective effort, shaped by the passion, creativity and dedication of every person involved in bringing our show to the stage. One of the things that makes theatre so special is the shared experience between the audience and performers who journey through the story together, and to have brought new audiences to the Palace Theatre to have their first theatregoing experience at our show is something we are all proud of.”
John Tiffany said: “It has been an incredible 10 years for everyone who has been involved in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, and a joy for us to bring this show to our fantastic audiences in London and around the world. We wouldn’t be reaching this milestone without the many brilliant artists, both on stage and behind the scenes, who have all contributed their astonishing talent and unwavering enthusiasm to bring this remarkable story to life at each and every performance.”
Producers Sonia Friedman and Colin Callender added: “It is hard to believe that ten years have passed since we first opened our two-part play. What followed has been an extraordinary journey none of us could have imagined. No one involved in those earliest days could have foreseen that Harry Potter and the Cursed Child would transform the theatrical landscape, inspiring audiences worldwide and redefining what was possible on stage. That remains a source of immense pride, gratitude and wonder.
In the decade since, the world has changed in ways none of us could have predicted, and yet the story at the heart of this play, of friendship tested, of loss carried, of family redefined, and of the courage it takes to face what comes next, feels as necessary now as it did the day we opened.
Theatre is always a collective endeavour, and this production has been sustained over the past decade by the artistry, commitment and imagination of our creative, associate and production teams, alongside the casts, stage managers, technicians, crews and everyone who has contributed to its life. We remain in awe of what this company has achieved together. The vision and innovation of the creative team, supported by the wider production, redefined the scale and ambition of live theatre and set a new benchmark for stagecraft around the world. Each time we see the production, we are reminded of their shared brilliance, and of what extraordinary artists can create together.
We are profoundly grateful to every audience member who has joined us. It has been a privilege to share this story with millions around the world and to see the production continue to evolve as a testament to the ambition, craftsmanship and enduring magic of live theatre."
Over the last 10 years Harry Potter and the Cursed Child has become a global success having been by seen more than 14 million people worldwide. The production received a record-breaking 9 Laurence Olivier Awards - the highest number awarded for a play, as well as multiple other UK theatre awards, and has now received a record 60 major honours globally, including 6 Tony Awards. There are 5 productions currently running - London, New York, Tokyo, the Netherlands and a North American tour, with previous productions staged in Hamburg, Melbourne, San Francisco and Toronto.