BBC has announced a new documentary, A History of Magic, which is based off The British Library’s exhibition opening next month. This documentary features an interview with J.K. Rowling where she discusses items she has personally donated to the exhibit. Harry Potter: A History of Magic opens to the public on October 20th at The British Library. The exhibit will also be making it’s way to New York in October 2018, making a stop at the New-York Historical Society.
Harry Potter: A History of Magic will unveil rare books, manuscripts and magical objects from the British Library’s collection, capturing the traditions of folklore and magic at the heart of the Harry Potter stories. Exploring the subjects studied at Hogwarts, the exhibition will include original drafts and drawings by J.K. Rowling and Harry Potter illustrator Jim Kay – all on display for the first time.
And as it travels from London to New York, the exhibition will evolve to include US-specific artefacts and items from the collection of US Harry Potter publisher Scholastic.
BBC has released the following information on the documentary which will air on BBC Two. An air date has not yet been revealed.
It’s 20 years since J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone first cast its spell on readers across the globe, thanks to the charm, warmth and imagination of its wizarding world. But Rowling’s fantastical creation wasn’t entirely make-believe…
To mark the 20th anniversary of her book, the BBC presents an enchanting new documentary, uncovering the real life traditions of magic at the heart of Harry Potter.
A thrilling journey through legends, belief and folklore, this film goes behind the scenes with the British Library as they search to tell that story through objects in their collection, in an ambitious new exhibition: Harry Potter: A History Of Magic. J.K. Rowling, who is lending unseen manuscripts, drawings and drafts from her private archives (which will sit alongside treasures from the British Library, as well as original drafts and drawings from Jim Kay) talks about some of the personal items she has lent to the exhibition and gives new insight into her writing, looking at some of the objects from the exhibition that have fired her imagination.
Readings from famous fans playfully recreates some of the best loved spells, potions and magical moments from the books, and, as we follow the process of the exhibition, we discover modern magic’s counterparts (from real life wandmakers to Quidditch enthusiasts). In doing so we discover an unexpected relationship between magic, belief and science: from the Anglo-Saxon spells that cure MRSA; to the so-called witches who pioneered contemporary medicine; to the ancient stargazers who first mapped the wonders of the night sky.
It was commissioned for BBC Two by Patrick Holland, Controller, BBC Two and Mark Bell, Head of Commissioning BBC Arts, and the Executive Producer is Janet Lee. The Producer/Director is Jude Ho for BBC Studios.
This morning, Universal Orlando Resort issued a press release on their holiday happenings, including the brand new Christmas in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter! Universal Orlando Resort’s Holidays celebration will run daily from November 18 to January 6. According to the press release:
Starting Nov. 18, holiday cheer – and a little mischief here and there – will take over Universal Orlando Resort for its destination-wide Holidays celebration. Guests of all ages will enjoy a festive celebration like no other with more dates than ever before. At Universal Orlando guests can witness the magic of Christmas in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, watch all-new larger-than-life balloons and incredible entertainment fill the streets during the all-new Universal’s Holiday Parade featuring Macy’s, uncover the true meaning of Grinchmas, rock around the Music Plaza Stage to Mannheim Steamroller – and more.
NEW! Christmas in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter
For the first time at Universal Orlando Resort, Christmas is coming to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Guests will be surrounded by uniquely themed Christmas decorations, garlands and lights as they walk the streets of Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley. They will also enjoy special Christmas themed food and holiday performances by the Frog Choir and Celestina Warbeck and the Banshees. And as night falls – state-of-the-art projection mapping and lighting will wrap Hogwarts castle, bringing incredible Christmas moments inspired by the Harry Potter series to life.
The Holidays will also include:
NEW! Universal’s Holiday Parade featuring Macy’s
Universal Orlando Resort is partnering with Macy’s, the global leader in balloon entertainment, to bring a brand-new parade to Universal Studios Florida. Universal’s Holiday Parade featuring Macy’s will feature more than a dozen new festive balloons and over 15 incredibly detailed floats that can’t be seen anywhere else – all designed exclusively for Universal Orlando. The parade will also include appearances by the Minions and other favourite characters from Despicable Me, Madagascar and Shrek – and the jolly man himself, Father Christmas.
Grinchmas
Guests will watch the Grinch’s heart grow three sizes during a live retelling of Dr. Seuss’s holiday classic in the “Grinchmas Who-liday Spectacular” and join the merry Whos from Who-ville as they celebrate the true meaning of the season and bring Grinchmas to life throughout Seuss Landing at Universal’s Islands of Adventure. And, on sale now, guests can enjoy a festive breakfast with the Grinch and his friends on select dates.
Mannheim Steamroller
Holiday music sensation, Manheim Steamroller, returns to Universal Orlando to spread cheer for all to hear during live concerts at Universal Studios Florida on Nov. 18, 19, 25, 26 and Dec. 2, 3, 9, 10, 16 and 17.
Holidays at Universal’s On-Site Hotels
Staying on-site is the best way to experience the Holidays celebration at Universal Orlando Resort. All five hotels will glisten with festive decorations and offer holiday activities, including tree lightings, menorah lightings, and Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Eve buffets.
EVE at Universal CityWalk
To celebrate the New Year, guests can dance the night away at EVE, Universal CityWalk’s dazzling New Year’s Eve celebration. Guests can celebrate the New Year in style with the largest dance floor in Orlando, live entertainment and endless decadent dishes and signature drinks. Tickets go on sale soon.
Earlier this week Lumos had a live Facebook video with Alison Sudol and Dan Fogler as well as Lumos CEO Georgette Mulheir. They urged fans to get involved with Lumos Foundation USA – and offered a chance to win a visit the set of the new film at the same time. Visit their crowdrise page to donate and enter! To gain 1 entry you must donate $12.
Contest details are as follows:
You and a guest can win the chance to join the Producer and Director for a behind-the-scenes VIP experience:
Visit the set of the sequel to Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them
Meet members of the cast and crew of the film.
Round trip air transportation for two to London, England courtesy of
3-night stay in a Four-Star hotel in London, generously supported by
2 individual tickets to Warner Bros. Studio Tour London- The Making of Harry Potter with a tour interactor
Additional Prize:
1 lucky winner will win an original painting of Newt Scamander, the Magizoologist hero in Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them by Mouth Artist, Henry Fraser, signed by J.K. Rowling, Eddie Redmayne and cast members of the film.
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An estimated 8 million children around the world live in harmful orphanages. Many suffer abuse and hardship as a daily reality. Shockingly – 80% are not even orphans; they have at least one living parent.
These vulnerable children need families, not orphanages. Lumos has the proven solution to transform the future for children in orphanages.
Here’s the story of Ilove and her brother, rescued by Lumos from an orphanage in Haiti and now happily reunited with their family.
A first look at the Strike series has been released by BBC and The Associated Press. Strike is based on the Cormoran Strike novels and will be premiering August 27th at 9pm on BBC One ! The series stars Tom Burke as Cormoran Strike and Holliday Grainger as Robin Ellacott. The first three episodes are based on The Cuckoo’s Calling, Galbraith’s first novel in the series.
Strike, the series based on Robert Galbraith’s Cormoran Strike novels will be premiering on BBC One this month! The series stars Tom Burke as Cormoran Strike and Holliday Grainger as Robin Ellacott. The first three episodes are based on The Cuckoo’s Calling, Galbraith’s first novel in the series. The show, previously called ‘The Cormoran Strike Mysteries,’ premieres on August 27th at 9pm on BBC One!
It is unknown when the show will premiere in the United States, but we do know that it will air on HBO at some point in the future.
The Harry Potter and the Cursed Child website has been updated to show that seven of the original cast members from the West End production of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child will be reprising their roles for the Broadway debut in New York City! Previews begin March 2018 and the official opening is April 22, 2018. Tickets for the Broadway production of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child will go on sale October 12, 2017 via Ticketmaster Verified Fan® following a required registration period between October 1 – October 5, 2017. The returning cast members are as follows:
Anthony Boyle as Scorpius Malfoy
Sam Clemmett as Albus Severus Potter
Alex Price as Draco
Jamie Parker as Harry
Poppy Miller as Ginny
Paul Thornley as Ron
Noma Dumezweni as Hermione
From the news release:
Sonia Friedman, Colin Callender and Harry Potter Theatrical Productions are pleased to announce casting for the Broadway premiere of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. Preview performances will begin in New York at the fully renovated Lyric Theatre in March 2018 with an official opening on Sunday, April 22, 2018.
Seven members of the award-winning Original West End Company will reunite on stage for the Broadway premiere: Jamie Parker (Harry Potter), Noma Dumezweni (Hermione Granger) and Paul Thornley (Ron Weasley) with Poppy Miller (Ginny Potter), Sam Clemmett (Albus Potter), Alex Price (Draco Malfoy) and Anthony Boyle (Scorpius Malfoy). They will be joined by David Abeles, Brian Abraham, Shirine Babb, Jess Barbagallo, Stephen Bradbury, Lauren Nicole Cipoletti, Joshua De Jesus, Jessie Fisher, Richard Gallagher, Susan Heyward, Geraldine Hughes, Edward James Hyland, Byron Jennings, Katie Kreisler, Joey LaBrasca, Andrew Long, Kathryn Meisle, Angela Reed, Dave Register, Adeola Role, JamesRomney, Malika Samuel, Alanna Saunders, David St. Louis, Stuart Ward, Madeline Weinstein, Alex Weisman and Benjamin Wheelwright playing a variety of characters. The cast will also include four children who will alternate two roles.
“We have assembled an extraordinary cast for Broadway,” said director John Tiffany. “Our Cursed Childfamily is growing with 28 brilliant new actors bringing their unique talents to our production. I also can’t wait to dive back into it with seven of our original London cast members reprising their thrilling performances for New York audiences. The adventure continues…”
Mr. Parker, Ms. Dumezweni, Mr. Thornley, Ms. Miller, Mr. Clemmett, Mr. Price and Mr. Boyle are appearing with the support of Actors’ Equity Association. The producers gratefully acknowledge Actors’ Equity Association for its assistance to this production.
More about ticket purchasing:
Tickets go on sale on Thursday, October 12, 2017 at 11AM EDT via Ticketmaster Verified Fan®, only to those ticket buyers who receive an access code.
Ticket buyers must register with Ticketmaster Verified Fan®, a process put in place to protect genuine ticket buyers from bots and scalpers, for the opportunity to purchase tickets.
Ticket buyers who register, and are verified and randomly selected, will receive an access code that will give them the opportunity to purchase tickets. Tickets will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis.
Registration will open on Sunday, October 1, 2017 at 10AM EDT and close on Thursday, October 5, 2017 at 10PM EDT.
Tickets will go on sale on Thursday October 12 at 11am EDT.
You will not be able to buy tickets unless you register and receive an access code. However, please note that because of anticipated demand, registering does not guarantee receipt of an access code, and receiving an access code does not guarantee there will be tickets remaining when you try to purchase. The selection process will be randomized to ensure access to tickets is as fair as possible and to protect our customers from bots and ticket scalpers.
If you are unsuccessful in securing tickets in this first release, there will be further opportunities to purchase tickets in the future on a regular basis. Details of further ticket releases will be announced via the official website, social media channels and the official newsletter. There will also be opportunities to purchase late-release tickets, including the weekly release of The Friday Forty.
