PHILADELPHIA – A true fan of the Harry Potter series knows the storyline inside and out but is not afraid to poke fun at it, and that is exactly the mindset behind the hilarious parody Potted Potter, currently showing at the Prince Music Theater in Philadelphia.
A highly interactive show, Potted Potter is the telling of every Harry Potter book in under seventy minutes by only two actors. Encouraging audience participation right from the start, James, a die-hard fan of the boy wizard, has high aspirations for the performance – which are amusingly let-down by his friend Gary’s misunderstandings of the book. The most interactive part of the show came when Gary finally got to hold the Quidditch match he had been asking for the entire show. Tricking James into wearing a ridiculous snitch costume, Gary chooses two seekers from opposite teams to stand on stage while members of the audience try to hit a beach ball – the quaffle – into goals on either side of the theater. The game ended with the two small volunteers running after James and figuratively catching the snitch.
The character switches were a blast to watch, as James, who chose to play Harry Potter, forced James to play every other character in the books. From a crazy red wig as Ron Weasley to a devil-horned headband for Lord Voldemort, the array of costumes never ceased to entertain.
One of the most enjoyable parts of the performance was the obvious fun the actors themselves were having on stage. As the show is highly dependent on the reactions of the audience and their participation, the actors must think on their feet and be prepared to adlib certain parts in the script. Upon leaving the theater, I wanted to know just how much of the show was scripted and what the actors threw in to add to the hilarity.
A show that appeals to all ages, Potted Potter is sure to entertain all who are familiar with the Harry Potter story. For more information about the show, visit the website below.