Talk about magic!
British comedy actors Daniel Clarkson and Jefferson Turner have distilled all 4,200 pages of J. K. Rowling's seven Harry Potter novels into one brilliantly hilarious 70-minute show. Potted Potter: The Unauthorized Harry Experience is a lovably loopy two-person performance in which a Potter know-it-all teams up with a rebellious Harry newbie to create a show about -- you guessed it -- Harry Potter.
Clarkson and Turner conceived the show in 2005 as a five-minute sidewalk synopsis to amuse customers queued up for Rowling's sixth Harry novel. They expanded it to an hour the following year and opened at Edinburgh's Zoo Southside. European tours ensued, and in 2012 Potted Potter was nominated for two Olivier Awards, the highest honor in British theater. The show made its off-Broadway debut the same year and has since toured all over the United States and the world. After opening in 2018, the family-friendly Las Vegas production won Best of Last Vegas Awards for Best New Production and Best Value Show.
One actor channels a bookish Harry in Potted Potter while another plays every other character -- including Ron and Hermione, Draco Malfoy, Snape, the Weasleys, Sirius Black, Mad-Eye Moody, Dumbledore and, of course, He Who Must Not Be Named -- with wild abandon. Loads of wigs and other goofy props are employed in a nonstop laugh fest that also features a fire-breathing dragon, countless costume changes, brilliant songs, a plethora of props and even a Quidditch match encouraging audience participation (but no brooms, alas).
Accessible to Potter freaks and newbies alike, Potted Potter blends slapstick in the Laurel & Hardy vaudeville tradition with the wildly witty dialogue associated with Monty Python's Flying Circus. "Potting" is a British term for "the art of summarizing something into a digestible form," and, like all the best parodies, Clarkson and Turner's Harry experience is both splendid spoof and heartfelt homage.
Potted Potter was a comedy experience that captured the nuances of Harry Potter, chapters 1 through 7. Delightful entertainment with hidden adult humour, that captures the attention of children and their parents. Unexpectedly funny with interactive audience participation. Truly delightful!
The show was not funny. Even though it was only an hour and 10 mins, it felt much longer. I couldn't wait for it to be over. The actresses were not funny and just did not do a good job. A Harry Potter parody has so much potential, but this was a total waste of time.
I went with my boyfriend (both mid 30s) and thought it was going to be a parody show with many actors. I knew it was all seven books summed up into a one hour show so I wasn't expecting it to be long. It was just two performers with no costume changes, making jokes about the HP universe. There were kids in the audience and they had a HOOT, I just didn't realize it wasn't geared towards adults. You could tell the two performers had great chemistry so that helped.
This show was excellent! My niece (huge Harry Potter fan) laughed and enjoyed the entire show. I do not know much about Harry Potter and still really enjoyed the show. It was energetic, funny, and very entertaining. Highly recommended!!
Nothing much to do with Henry Potter - frustrating experience, both for kids and adults...
My 11 yr old daughter and I had an amazing time. The show was so high energy, fun and engaging- fully recommend it for any fan of the Potter Books/ Movies. The two Toronto actresses were really great!
Didn’t know what to expect, and was pleasantly surprised at how funny and engaging this show was. My kids, ages 9 and 11, were lol-ing throughout.
Entertaining and funny. I had seen it years ago but this was funnier. Jo and Lottie were fantastic. I’d recommend for any potter fan.
The two actors were hilarious and did a fantastic job. We really enjoyed it!
I took my 16 year old. We had a blast! Highly recommend it. Just the perfect story and length of presentation for a teen.