‘Potted Potter’ opened last night at the Heath Ledger Theatre. Two actors take on the challenge of performing all seven of J.K. Rowling’s novels in a fast moving 70 minute performance.
As the lights dimmed on the auditorium there was the obligatory message to turn off mobile phones, sheath wands and not take photos.
We were however invited to draw pictures of the show and send them in later – an offer to good to refuse.
‘Potted Potter’ started its life as a street side performance before evolving into a successful show at the Edinburgh Fringe. Now it’s touring the world bringing its Harry Potter on fast-forward concept to the masses. While this show had no problems filling the large stage of the Heath Leger Theatre, its performance style is intimate and maybe more suited to the tents and back rooms of Fringe shows.
The show has its best moments when it allows for improvisation and the unexpected, which is certainly what actors Benjamin Stratton and James Percy got when they invited two Perth youngsters on to the stage to play a game of Quidditch. While Stratton primed the two youngsters to represent Slytherin and Gryffindor, Percy appeared dressed in gold as the snitch.
The seeker for Slytherin team was victorious and Percy was impressively tackled to the ground by a hyperactive seven year old who has a future with The Dockers. Later in the show the duo reflected on the experience with the memorable line, “That kid’s got 99 problems, but the snitch ‘aint one.” (See illustration)
Clearly aimed at a family audience, the show is a celebration of the Harry Potter and its fans, while also taking a dig at other franchises likes ‘The Chronicles of Narnia’, ‘The Hobbit’ and ‘Twilight’.
While the show was filled with fun and frivolity there were moments where I struggled to remain engaged. The moments where the actors went ‘off script’ were the most memorable of the show but it also extended the time making me wish that they’d skip a couple of books to speed it up a bit.
Another highlight was Percy describing the Order of the Phoenix while Stratton rapidly circled a wardrobe playing all of its members. His fast changes from Hagrid, to Sirius Black, to Professor Lupin and a plethora of Weasleys was endlessly entertaining.
‘Potted Potter’ was fun and it’s probably best enjoyed with a child in tow.
‘Potted Potter’ is on at The Heath Leger Theatre at the State Theatre Centre until Sunday October 19th. Tickets are available from Ticketek.
Graeme Watson
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