The Daily Mail reports that J.K. Rowling is co-producing a new play based on the Harry Potter novels.  According to the article the play will take place before Harry’s Hogwarts years. The article states:

[…] the play, to be steered by prominent London and New York producers Sonia Friedman and Colin Callender, will mine (according to a statement sent to me, as a mudblood, by Owl Post yesterday) ‘the previously untold story of Harry Potter’s early years as an orphan and outcast’.

Although the statement didn’t spell it out, I understand that Warner Bros, the studio behind the Potter pictures, will be involved in the development of the theatre show, just as it was with the Sam Mendes musical version of Roald Dahl’s Charlie And The Chocolate Factory, which is running at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane.

Harry Potter’s theatrical adaptation will seek to ‘offer a unique insight into the heart and mind of the now legendary young wizard. A seemingly ordinary boy, but one for whom destiny has plans…’

Rowling noted the numerous approaches she has received about putting Harry Potter on the stage, but the vision put forth by Sonia and Colin ‘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. After a year in gestation, it is very exciting to see this project moving onto the next phrase.’

Today we have full details on A Celebration of Harry Potter, the event being held at Universal Orlando from January 24th – 26th.

“A CELEBRATION OF HARRY POTTER” PANEL DISCUSSIONS
The panels will be held in a theater-style setting and will include discussions and Q&A’s with Harry Potter film talent and crew. Admission into the theaters will be granted on a first-come, first-served basis. Specific panel times will be released at a later date.
Panel descriptions are below:

• A Harry Potter Tribute
  “A Celebration of Harry Potter” will kick off with a special evening event starring several cast members of the Harry Potter film series and award-winning artist Kazu Kibuishi, who recently re-imagined the Harry Potter book covers for Scholastic and beautifully captured pivotal scenes from the enchanting Harry Potter stories. Guests will enjoy film clips, Q&A sessions with cast members, and get a glimpse of new details about The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley, opening summer 2014.
• My Life on the Harry Potter Film Set: Talent Q&A’s
  Actors from the Harry Potter films share what it’s like to work on a major motion picture and be part of film history.
• Duelling Demonstration & Wand Combat Masterclass with Paul Harris
  Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter will present a spellbinding masterclass with the world’s only Wand Combat Choreographer, Paul Harris. Paul choreographed the epic battle scene in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix and will be on hand to teach you the technique behind wielding a wand.
• Graphic Design for the Harry Potter Films with MinaLima
  Graphic designers Eduardo Lima and Miraphora Mina from the studio MinaLima will discuss their ten-year involvement in establishing the visual graphic style on the film productions of Harry Potter and present some of the iconic props they created for the films, including the Marauder’s Map, the Daily Prophet and The Quibbler.
• Bringing the Harry Potter Films to the Theme Park – Set and Prop Design of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter
  Harry Potter film and theme park Set Designer Alan Gilmore and The Wizarding World of Harry Potter Prop Master Eric Baker will present a look at how ideas move from the books to screen, and then become real-life theme park experiences.
• Go Behind the Scenes of Pottermore.com from J.K. Rowling
  Pottermore’s Creative Director gives an exclusive insight into the creation of Moment artwork for Pottermore.com, and a look at the next installment of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. Plus, get ready for an exclusive reveal as he shares his favorite upcoming new entry from J.K. Rowling.

Expo booth descriptions are below:

• Harry Potter: The Exhibition
  Guests will get an up-close look at the artistry and craftsmanship that went into creating the iconic costumes that have appeared throughout the Harry Potter film series. They will also have the opportunity to get sorted into Hogwarts houses during a Sorting Hat experience.
• Warner Bros. Studio Tour London
  This interactive experience will feature a duelling presentation by the world’s only Wand Combat Choreographer, Paul Harris.
• MinaLima
  Limited edition artworks and reproductions based on original prop designs will be on display, including iconic pieces, such as the Marauder’s Map and the Daily Prophet. A selection of original graphic props from the films will also be on display, and on-hand to meet guests will be Miraphora Mina and Eduardo Lima.
• Pottermore from J.K. Rowling
  Go behind the scenes of Pottermore.com from J.K. Rowling. Find out how Moments from Harry’s story are created from the first sketch to the final splash of color, get an exclusive look at artwork that has not yet been released, and experience Pottermore.com for yourself – defeat your opponent in a wizard’s duel or try your hand at brewing magical draughts and potions.
• Scholastic
  Celebrate the 15th anniversary of the U.S. publication of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone and share your message about what Harry Potter means to you. Award-winning artist Kazu Kibuishi, who recently reimagined the Harry Potter book covers, will be signing posters at limited times throughout the weekend.
• United States Postal Service
  Guests can check out the limited-edition Harry Potter collection of 20 new Forever stamps, featuring images of Harry Potter, the extraordinary boy wizard, and the adventures he encounters with the friends, heroes, villains and creatures that make up his world. Also, see collectible products featuring the stamps, meet the stamp art director, and get special cancellation postmarks commemorating this celebration.

Thanks Mugglenet!

Universal has released a video preview of a live webcast they will be holding on January 23rd to reveal Diagon Alley at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Orlando, Florida! Potter actor James Phelps (Fred Weasley) will be hosting the webcast

The email blast they sent out states:

Soon, you’ll be able to explore more of the wizarding world than ever before as The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™ – Diagon Alley™ opens Summer 2014 at Universal Orlando® Resort with all?new thrills and magical experiences.

Don’t miss our EXCLUSIVE WEBCAST, in which we’ll reveal all?new details about the shops and attractions, and give you a sneak peek inside this new land.

In order to view the webcast on January 23, 2014, you’ll need a special link which we’ll send you soon in an upcoming email.

The official trailer for Tom Felton’s upcoming movie In Secret, originally titled Thérèse, was released earlier this week and may be viewed below.

Set in 1860s Paris, pic is a tale of obsessive love, adultery and revenge. Therese (Elizabeth Olsen) is a sexually repressed beautiful young woman trapped into a loveless marriage to her sickly cousin, Camille (Tom Felton), by her domineering aunt, Madame Raquin (Jessica Lange). Her husband’s friend (Oscar Isaac) catches her eye and things go all kinds of wrong from there.

Thanks to Feltbeats for the tip!

Mojo, Rupert Grint’s first theatre production has extended it’s run for two more weeks due to popular demand.  The press release is as follows:

Ian Rickson’s critically acclaimed West End revival of Jez Butterworth’s award-winning Mojo today announces a further two weeks of performances due to public demand. Mojo, which is playing to packed houses at the Harold Pinter Theatre, will now complete its run on 8 February 2014 with its original cast – Brendan Coyle (Mickey), Rupert Grint (Sweets), Tom Rhys Harries (Silver Johnny), Daniel Mays (Potts), Colin Morgan (Skinny) and Ben Whishaw (Baby).

Set against the fledgling rock ‘n’ roll scene of 50s Soho, this savagely funny play delves into the sleazy underworld and power games of London’s most infamous district.

LISTINGS INFORMATION

Theatre: Harold Pinter Theatre, Panton Street, London SW1Y 4DN

Dates: until 8 February 2014

Performances: Monday – Saturday 7.30pm, Thursday and Saturday matinees 2.30pm

Christmas Schedule:

• Monday 23 December 7.30pm
• Tuesday 24 December 2.30pm
• Wednesday 25 December no performance
• Thursday 26 December no performance
• Friday 27 December 2.30pm and 7.30pm
• Saturday 28 December 2.30pm and 7.30pm
• Monday 30 December 7.30pm
• Tuesday 31 December 7.30pm
• Wednesday 1 January 7.30pm
• Thursday 2 January 2.30pm and 7.30pm
• Friday 3 January 7.30pm
• Saturday 4 January 2.30pm and 7.30pm

Prices: £10 – £55.00, all prices include a £1.50 restoration levy

There are a number of front row stalls seats available as day seats at £10 for every performance, released for sale at the Box Office on day of performance, in person at 10am

BBC reports that J.K. Rowling is one of 10 Literacy Heros as chosen by the National Literacy Trust. She and the other nine honorees were chosen for helping to boost literacy or promote a love of reading. Rowling was chosen for turning a generation of children into readers.

The organisers say each was picked because of the impact they have had on a community’s reading and writing skills, or because they have overcome literacy problems of their own.

• Jodie Evans, an Oxfordshire pupil who overcame her own literacy issues to become a school library champion
• Lisa Yong Hui Li, a secondary school student who judges said had made “amazing achievements” with English as her second language
• Ruth Gasson, a librarian who has helped disadvantaged youngsters improve their literacy
• School librarian Lyn Hopson, from Doncaster, who runs schemes to promote a love of reading among young people
• Leeds teaching assistant Velda Jackson
• Richard O’Neill, a Romany gypsy author and storyteller who works in schools to improve literacy among traveller pupils
• English teacher Caroline Thain, from Aberdeen
• An unnamed prisoner from The Mount jail who is involved with a project called Storybook Dads, where parents in prison can record themselves reading a book to their children
• [Henry Winkler, who is dyslexic and has written books about a schoolboy with learning difficulties.]

They were nominated by the public and chosen by a panel including authors Joanna Trollope, Cressida Cowell and Dorothy Koomson, entrepreneur Levi Roots, actor, comedian and writer Miles Jupp, and columnist Lucy Mangan.

Director of the National Literacy Trust, Jonathan Douglas, said the winners had all “made inspiring and significant strides to improve their own literacy or create positive opportunities for others. Literacy Heroes and reading role models have never been more important at a time when our research shows that children’s reading performance is declining, children are reading less and are holding more negative attitudes towards reading,” he said.