Harry Potter play producer says cost of living made two-part show 'impossible'

Image source, Getty Images By Tabby Wilson Published 24 September 2026, 07:45 BST A Harry Potter And The Cursed Child producer has said the rising cost of living made it "literally impossible" to retain the play's original format in two parts.

The production has been cut down to a single three-hour show and is set to re-open in the West End next month.

"The cost of living has gone up 30-40% since the pandemic, including running shows," producer Sonia Friedman said in comments reported by media at a launch event. "The only way we could continue to run it as a two-parter would be by charging an amount for the tickets that would be unaffordable and inaccessible."

The two-part play, a sequel to JK Rowling's books, premiered in the West End in 2016 and closed on 20 September.