[A special thanks to Nora who attended the event on behalf of the site!]  You may view a few photos from the day in the gallery, with more on the way later today!
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Walking into Harry Potter the Exhibition was like being transported back through time and into a magical world. The exhibition opens November 19 in the Powerhouse Museum Sydney, the first location to harbour it outside North America. Magical Menagerie was given the special opportunity to preview the exhibition two days early, with special guests James and Oliver Phelps who play Fred and George Weasley. They described the fun they had filming the Harry Potter series, reminiscing about the Halloween scenes where they got to enjoy real food and after 30 takes the actors were swearing off profiteroles. They also talked about the delicacy of the wands they had in the sets and how they’ve broken several wands on- and off-scenes.

Magical Menagerie asked the actors on upcoming projects and whether they plan to pursue their interests such as football and music. James Phelps said he wished he could be a football commentator, but for now he’s focusing on his acting and has lined up some jobs. Oliver is planning to go on a vacation before going back to work, and both boys are excited about pursuing their acting careers separately.

We also met Eddie Newquist, the Chief Creative Office of GES who described the complexity of putting together the exhibition. Robin Stapley, Exective Creative Director of GES, mentioned the hard work of selecting the different props to display in the Great Hall and then transporting the exhibition pieces in total of 23 containers to each sites. He then walked us through the exhibition and highlighted the details and intricacy of the pieces.

The exhibition shows you the different sets of Harry Potter movies, recreating some of the sets such as Harry and Ron’s bedroom and Hagrid’s Hut. The details that you get to see in the pieces are the main reason this exhibition is so worth seeing. We got to see up close the details on Buckbeak and Fawkes, the lovely creatures that appeared in the movies. There were numerous pieces that makes you appreciate how much thoughts J.K. Rowling must have put into the character. We saw the life-size painting of Professor Lockhart and all his narcissistic photographs and Professor Umbridge’s clothing and her kitten ceramic plates. It was also interesting to see how the different directors seem to influence the style of the uniforms worn by the different characters.

There aren’t really enough words to describe how magical the exhibition is. It really makes you relive the whole Harry Potter adventure, and you just have to be there to witness it. The enchanting series might be over, but it will forever live in our minds.

© Nora for Magical-Menagerie. Do not take text or photos without proper credit.

James and Oliver Phelps will possibly be attending a special preview of Harry Potter: The Exhibition in Sydney, Australia on November 18th. Enjoy entertainment, food, non-alcoholic drinks and exhibition entry – all included in your ticket price!  Tickets are strictly limited, $95 adult, $75 child, book now. There are 3 times you can visit on the 18th and one is already sold out. James and Oliver will also be taking part in other promotional events prior to the official opening on the 19th.

Harry Potter: The Exhibition
Powerhouse Museum, 19 November 2011 – 18 March 2012
Visit powerhousemuseum.com for more information

Hopefully I can find someone who will be able to cover the events on behalf of the site (if you’re interested email webmiss[at]magical-menagerie[dot]com)

This week, twenty-three shipping crates containing elements of the highly anticipated Harry Potter: The Exhibition, arrived by ship in Sydney. Each massive shipping container holds the numerous props, costumes and creatures from the Harry Potter film series, as well as vignettes and immersive environments inspired by the actual film sets, such as Hagrid’s hut and the Great Hall.

“We are very excited to take custody of such a unique collection of film objects during the four-month stay in Australia.  We have several teams of museum staff working seven days a week to install the exhibition over the next three weeks, in time for its opening weekend on the 19th and 20th November,” said Dr. Dawn Casey, Director, Powerhouse Museum.

The 1,400-square-metre exhibition will feature objects from the entire Harry Potter film series.  A special selection of costumes and props from the series’ two-part finale, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows™ – Parts 1 and 2, will be on public display for the first time in Sydney.

The exhibition will be staged in a new 1,800-square-metre temporary exhibition gallery that has been developed as part of the Powerhouse Museum’s current revitalisation program to accommodate major touring and in-house exhibitions.

“This is the largest exhibition that the museum has ever staged. It is fitting that such a spectacular exhibition is the first to be displayed in this fantastic new gallery,” said Dr. Dawn Casey.

This is the first time Harry Potter: The Exhibition has travelled outside North America, following its debut in Chicago in April 2009 and its highly successful runs that followed in Boston, Toronto, Seattle and New York.

The exhibition opens in three weeks at the Powerhouse Museum for its exclusive Australian run from 19 November 2011 to 18 March 2012.

Due to expected high exhibit attendance, the Powerhouse Museum will open its doors earlier for Harry Potter: The Exhibition at 9.30am (opens 9am on weekends and during school holidays) and remain open later until 9pm on Friday and Saturday nights for the duration of the exhibition.

Tickets are available now with pre-allocated session times. Guests are encouraged to book prior to their arrival to avoid sold-out time slots.  Purchase tickets online at www.powerhousemuseum.com or www.ticketek.com.au

On view: Harry Potter: The Exhibition
Dates: 19 November 2011 – 18 March 2012
Address: Powerhouse Museum, 500 Harris Street Ultimo, Sydney
Telephone: (02) 9217 0111 or infoline (02) 9217 0444
Website: powerhousemuseum.com
Hours: 9.30am to 5pm (open 9am on weekends and during school holidays for Harry Potter: The Exhibition)
Admission:
Peak sessions
(All days between 19 November to 4 December;
From 5 December: Friday 5pm–9pm and all sessions on
Saturday, Sunday and NSW school holidays)
Families $95, Adults $32, Children (4 – 15 yrs.) $22, Student card holders, pensioner and concession $32, Groups $32, Schools $22 per person.
Members peak sessions: Families $71, Adult $24, Child $16.50

Off-peak sessions
(Mon-Fri 9.30am –5pm)
Families $79.50, Adults $28, Children (4 – 15 yrs) $19, Student card holders, pensioner and concession $25, Groups $23.50, Schools $19 per person
Members off-peak sessions: Families $60, Adult $21, Child $14.25

The Powerhouse Museum has released a new press release for Harry Potter: The Exhibition which will be in Sydney from November 19th to March 18th!

There are less than six weeks to go until the highly anticipated Harry Potter™: The Exhibition opens in Sydney for its exclusive Australian run at the Powerhouse Museum, beginning on 19 November 2011.

Tickets are selling fast as fans across Australia book their opportunity to step inside Harry Potter’s world where hundreds of props and costumes from the world-famous films will be showcased.

For the first time in Australia, the exhibition enables fans to see authentic film artefacts displayed in elaborate settings inspired by the film’s sets and locations in Hogwarts™School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, including the Gryffindor™ common room, Hagrid’s hut, the Great Hall and much more.

Objects large and small will be on display, from Harry’s and Ron’s four-poster beds to the wardrobe in which the Boggart™ was kept and took the shape of one’s greatest fear; to items from Professor Slughorn’s potions classroom including vials used to hold Felix Felicis; and a portrait gallery featuring some of the original paintings seen in the films.

The incredible artistry and craftsmanship that went into making the props, costumes, and creatures that appear in Harry Potter’s world can now be fully appreciated in this one-of-a-kind exhibition.

To avoid waiting in ticket queues, purchase tickets online now for Harry Potter: The Exhibition at www.powerhousemuseum.com or www.ticketek.com.au

Dates: 19 November 2011 – 18 March 2012
Address: Powerhouse Museum, 500 Harris Street Ultimo, Sydney
Telephone: (02) 9217 0111 or infoline (02) 9217 0444
Hours: 9.30am to 5pm (open at 9am during school holidays only for Harry Potter: The Exhibition)
Admission: 
Peak sessions (Fri & Sat 5pm-9pm, Sat & Sun 9.30am-5pm, school holidays 9am-5pm)
Families $95, Adults $32, Children (4 – 15 yrs.) $22, Student card holders, pensioner and concession $32, Groups $32, Schools $22 per person. Members peak sessions: Families $71, Adult $24, Child $16.50

Off-peak sessions (Mon-Fri 9.30am – 5pm) Families $79.50, Adults $28, Children (4 – 15 yrs) $19, Student card holders, pensioner and concession $25, Groups $23.50, Schools $19 per person. Members off-peak sessions: Families $60, Adult $21, Child $14.25

We’ve been emailed on behalf of Harry Potter: The Exhibition to remind Potter fans in the US that they still have a few weeks left to visit Harry Potter: The Exhibition in New York City before it moves to Australia! They sent over a press release that you may read here.

Harry Potter fans across the U.S. can still visit Harry Potter: The Exhibition and step inside the famous wizard’s magical world, only through September 5 at Discovery Times Square.

Tickets are available for purchase online at www.DiscoveryTS.com, at the Discovery Times Square box office (226 West 44^th Street) or by calling (866) 987-9692.

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The exhibition requires a time-entry ticket and guests are encouraged to purchase their tickets in advance to ensure the best date and time.  General public admission to Harry Potter: The Exhibition is $26 for adults; $23.50 for seniors (65 and over) and $19.50 for children (4-12); children under 4 years of age are free. VIP passes are also available for $49.50. For additional information, please visit the website.

This afternoon we have received the official press release and a couple new photos of Matthew Lewis at the Media Opening for Harry Potter: The Exhibition in Sydney, Australia. The full press release, which includes ticket pricing and more, may be read here and a bunch of photos of Matthew at the event may be seen at Matthew-Lewis.com. (The 2 new photos will be added to that album shortly, I’m waiting for them to send back High Resolution versions.)

Yesterday, Harry Potter film star Matthew Lewis, who played Neville Longbottom throughout the film series, was joined by hundreds of Harry Potter fans at the Powerhouse Museum to celebrate Harry Potter: The Exhibition coming to Sydney on 19 November 2011. Providing the audience with a sneak peek of the exhibition, Lewis revealed iconic film props and costumes including the Flying Ford Anglia, the Bloody Baron’s costume and a never-before-seen Death Eater costume.

Tickets are on sale now for Harry Potter: The Exhibition, showing exclusively at the Powerhouse Museum in Sydney, beginning on 19 November 2011 through to 18 March 2012.