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HARRY POTTER IN CONCERT REVIEW

HARRY POTTER – THE CHAMBER OF SECRETS IN CONCERT REVIEW

Yes, the name is synonymous. Everyone no matter how old you are has heard of the magical legend that is Harry Potter. You probably were a young child your self when being first introduced, or may now have children that you have introduced to the series now. The demand for Harry Potter has not gone anywhere and merchandise of all types is constantly on display. The films live on and spin-offs created. Now the film series has been turned into a cinematic event with a live orchestra.

Covering 900 performances this year and visiting no less than 48 countries it touched down for the second instalment of the Harry Potter Series – The Chamber of Secrets at the Royal Albert Hall.

The cinema screen 40 foot in size and set in HD, accompanies by the BBC Concert Orchestra and the English Chamber Choir conducted by Justin Freer take us through this epic film of friendship, magic and appearances of talking spiders and giant snakes!

Set in the iconic Royal Albert Hall, the venue is perfect for this type of event. The rounded arrangement of the seating ensures everyone has a fantastic view of the screen whether you are sat high up or on ground level in the stalls. The 40-foot HD screen is situated dead centre raised high in the air hiding the grand organ that dominates. Below the screen are the wonderful  BBC Orchestra and English Chapel Choir. The film does carry subtitles throughout and if you are careful enough to notice are Americanised, so you will see the occasional difference in spelling for certain words.

Fans flocked to this, some probably having already seen the first live experience others like me for the first time. Like previously mentioned Harry Potter appeals to a huge age range and so we had children who are now growing up with the series, teens and adults who love the magic as well as keen music lovers of the musical score composed by legendary John Williams.

Fans were encouraged to cheer their favourite houses, whether it be a Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Slytherin or Ravenclaw. Thir favourite characters as they appeared on screen or just specific moments that touch you throughout the movie.

Hearing the musical score live was brilliant, knowing it was being played in front of you just beautiful accompanied by the tones of the choir, only when taking the time to observe the musicians in their element, however, I feel the movie distracted from them. There were moments where hearing the stroke of the violin or the sound of a drum echo around immersed you in the experience, but there were moments for me where I couldn’t tell the difference between the score being delivered through speakers like a normal cinematic experience to that of a live one also.

With the above opinion, I may be on my own, but overall  I did enjoy the experience of watching both the film (without being the biggest Potter fan) and watching the orchestra together.

This had pretty much sold out for the show I attended and with six movie events to come before the end of the series I have no doubt those will sell out too. Tickets are already on sale for the next instalment of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban bookable here.