The college is staging Harry Potter and the Cursed Child next week and enlisted one of the cast from the show’s London performances to help.
Guernsey-based actor James Howard, who played Draco Malfoy in the West End for six years, was at the college for some last-minute tips before opening night.
‘I came to speak to them just before Christmas and gave them a few bits of advice,’ he said.
‘I’m now seeing them for the first time in rehearsals, and what I’ve seen so far is really exciting, because it’s a tough show.
‘It’s a really ambitious show, but if they approach it with the same energy and enthusiasm that I’m seeing today, it’s going to be a real hit.’
Playing the role for six years has not dampened Mr Howard’s enthusiasm for the wizarding world.
‘It was just the most incredible experience. It’s the most magical show in every single sense. Everyone loves these characters that they’re just ingrained in us. JK Rowling’s created this incredible universe and generations of children are going to grow up with these stories.’
He added that doing shows like this at school, or with other drama groups in Guernsey, was the best preparation for anyone interested in a theatre career.
‘This has given them the chance to play such fantastic roles on the stage, and to do it with the kind of support that they get here at school, is just brilliant. I’m so excited that Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is being done in schools around the world now, because it means that everyone gets the chance to play these world-famous characters.’
The play is set 19 years after Harry, Ron, and Hermione save the wizarding world, and introduces their children, as well as the son of their fiercest rival, Draco Malfoy.
The college is putting on a special adaptation of the beloved worldwide hit written especially for secondary school theatre productions.
Head of drama Charlotte Newell said the cast had been rehearsing since September.
‘We held auditions in April and have been here on a Monday and a Wednesday every week, with Sunday rehearsals as well,’ she said.
‘We were very lucky that one of our parents introduced us to James. He spoke to the cast about the importance of bringing a character to life, and also his experience of working on the Cursed Child.’
n Harry Potter and the Cursed Child runs from 19 to 22 January at the Princess Royal Centre for Performing Arts. Tickets and further information available at www.arts.gg.
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