Ever wondered what all the other students at a certain school of Witchcraft and Wizardry were up to while the eponymous ‘Boy Who Lived’ spent years getting into trouble at the fictional Hogwarts Castle?
The Hal High drama club, in partnership with local theatre company Ctrl-ART-Del, is preparing to take the public on a behind-the-scenes tell-all, revealing what life was like for those who lived in the shadow of one Harry Potter.
The local production of Puffs: Seven Increasingly Eventful Years at a Certain School of Magic and Magic lands at the Northern Lights Performing Arts Pavilion in Haliburton for three shows Dec. 12-14. Director, Christine Carr, said it’s a funny show with a story fit for the whole family.
“There will be some familiar names throughout the play that audiences may recognize. The play is not affiliated with that story, but has some similar ideas,” Carr said.
The students at the unnamed school are sorted into four houses – like the mainstream version, only with different names: the Braves, the Snakes, the Smarts and the Puffs.
“The Puffs are a house that is always ignored and forgotten,” Carr said. “The story focuses on the students who are particularly forgotten or ignored. It really gets into the importance of learning about being okay to be yourself.”
The production features a cast of 13 students from Grades 9 to 12, with Carr saying there’s a nice mix of experienced performers and first-timers. Rehearsals began in late September.
There have also been contributions from others within the school community, with the production involving more props and a larger set than any other Hal High play. Carr said tech students have constructed a full-sized bathtub for one scene, art students have assisted with numerous set and design elements, while leadership students have helped promote the show.
Carr said some students have stepped up to organize a magic-themed spirit day ahead of the play, while others have created a wizarding world themed menu of snacks and refreshments, which will be available during intermission.
The story is based on the one written by Matt Cox that premiered in New York City in 2015, Carr said, but has been locally adapted. Fellow teachers and HHSS drama club leaders Rebekah Borgdorff and Meghan Mardus have also taken on key roles.
“This story was created independently… which allowed us to play with the ideas and characters to create a really inclusive and positive play,” Carr said.
Show times are Dec. 12 and 13 at 7 p.m. and Dec. 14 at 2 p.m. Tickets are by donation – a deliberate move, Carr said, to allow anyone to attend. “We don’t want there to be any barriers to people seeing the show,” Carr said, with the proceeds supporting the drama club’s next production. She said the club does not receive any funding for its productions, with things like show rights, scripts, set and costumes all needing to be paid for.
Anyone wanting to reserve a seat can contact Carr directly at christine.carr@tldsb.on.ca. She promised it will be an entertaining couple of hours.
“This play truly has something for any age. Anyone watching will see themselves reflected in the characters, will see their own struggle in self-discovery and acceptance,” Carr said. “For those who enjoy reading or watching that famous magic school, it will bring back a nostalgia of when the world felt real and full of possibilities. When they hoped for their own owl to arrive, because the play is about bringing that magic to life.”
