Our Quarry Theatre became a portal to the wizarding world last week as our latest production, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, cast its spell over four sold-out nights. Directed with brilliance by Mrs Antoinette Keylock, and brought to life in partnership with Bedford Girls’ School and Goldington Academy, the show was an unforgettable triumph.
Staged to celebrate ten years and over 2,000 shows since the Quarry Theatre first opened its doors, the production dazzled with meticulous attention to detail with inventive set pieces, expressive costumes and stunning stage craft. Every moment was created with care, and the performances from the talented cast held the audience in rapt attention for over two hours without missing a beat.
Yet, beyond the show, the story struck a deeper chord, especially as it coincided with the close of our annual Movember campaign, which champions men’s mental health with its message of the life‑saving power of conversation. At its heart, The Cursed Child explores the universal challenge of growing up and (re)negotiating relationships with parents, a theme directly relevant to our boys and their families.
It’s Good to Talk
The play pivots on Harry Potter’s struggle to connect with his son, Albus, whose sense of isolation is compounded by the weight of his father’s legendary reputation. As Fifth Former Lukas, who played Harry, reflected, “Harry finds it hard to communicate with his son because he didn’t really have a father figure growing up. Breaking down those expectations and showing Harry’s flaws and hearing the audience react was amazing.”
Building on that tension, playing Albus, a teenager navigating friendship and family legacy, was another challenging role. Albus was played by Fifth Former James who, to prepare for the role, immersed himself in the Harry Potter world, rewatching the original films and researching the character’s motivations.
James told us, “I prepared by rewatching some of the Harry Potter films to remind myself of the overall story. I did some research about Albus online to find the rationale behind his characterisation in the script, and I annotated my script with intentions for each line to help me portray his complex nature.”
That attention to detail shone in the library scene, a turning point where Albus learns that time‑travel attempts to save Cedric Diggory have unravelled the present. James went on to say, “It was the most challenging scene for me. I had to move through confusion, annoyance, fear, sorrow and hopefulness in a short span of time, and the invisibility cloak trick was complex and could easily have gone wrong!”
Albus’s bond of friendship with Scorpius is central to the play. James and Rory, also in the Fifth Form, who played Scorpius, built that chemistry from the ground up. Rory told us, “We did a lot of work on physical characterisation in rehearsals to create a strong dynamic. The frequent rehearsals (three times a week) meant we became close as we worked alongside each other so much.”
Rory’s portrayal of Scorpius was a standout – bright and buoyant. Rory explained, “I think his energetic nature paired with his clever thought process makes him likeable. I looked at Draco Malfoy’s characteristics in the films and tried to do the complete opposite – that contrast really helped me shape Scorpius.”
Add to this the commanding presence of Hermione, brought to life with assurance by Ava (Bedford Girls’ School), anchored several pivotal scenes with poise and presence. And Delphi Diggory, portrayed by Chloe (Bedford Girls’ School), added charisma and mystery with her clandestine past keeping the audience on edge. For those die-hard Harry Potter fans, there was laughter aplenty, thanks to Moaning Myrtle, played with mischievous brilliance by Chloe (Goldington Academy).
Making Magic
Audiences were treated to unforgettable moments of theatrical magic with a bookcase that swallowed characters whole, and the jaw-dropping Polyjuice transformation performed in full view which left the audience asking themselves, “How did they do that?”. And not forgetting the foreboding basin in Moaning Myrtle’s bathroom that whisked Albus and Scorpius out of sight… at which point the audience collectively strained forward in their seats to see if they could see down the basin to where the wizards had gone.
In fact, one of James’s (Albus) favourite moments was the bookcase reveal. “Albus, Delphi and Scorpius emerge from a hidden door within the bookcase – it was so fun to stage and perform. The closeness and supportiveness within the cast meant everyone could achieve great success.”
Message to the Audience
At its core, The Cursed Child reminds us that differences need not divide, that forgiveness and dialogue can heal wounds and that talking more can change everything. Given the particular attention Bedford School places on men’s mental health throughout the teenage years, this story of renegotiating parent‑child relationships we hope, will have landed well with audiences.
Director Mrs Antoinette Keylock explained, “This play isn’t just about magic. It is about relationships, identity and forgiveness. Those themes matter hugely for young people today, and that’s why it felt so right to stage this during Movember.”
Lukas, who played Harry, hopes audiences left with the same understanding, “Despite your differences and arguments, you should always try to forgive the other person, no matter what they did wrong, as it could help you heal yourself, and the relationship could be repaired and something beautiful could come out of it.”
With a nomination for the National School Theatre Awards, this was far more than a play – it was a celebration of creativity, a collaboration and a message about the issues that matter most. Ten years, one stage and a story that proves that, when we talk, we connect. And when we connect, magic happens.
