Potted Potter is ‘much ado about everything’ and absolutely hilarious

In 1997, literary history was made with the release of the first Harry Potter book “Philosopher’s Stone” as an unknown author, J. K. Rowling taught a generation how to read. Ten years later and the final book “Deathly Hallows” finished up the saga of the boy wizard and wrapped everything up to everyone’s satisfaction with 522 million books sold for the complete series.

What followed was a series of well made Warner Brothers movies that cronicaled and captured the essence of the books much to the delight of the legions of fans both adolescent and adult. There was also two stage productions written by Jack Thorne based on an original new story by Thorne, Rowling and John Tiffany. The show, “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child: Parts I and II” is a sequel to the original books. It has had a run at the Palace Theatre in London’s West End since 2016.

A television show is supposedly in the offing and is slated to be on HBO and let’s not forget “The Wizarding World Of Harry Potter” at Universal Orlando Resort in Florida. Lastly, there is the ultimate Harry Potter Store that is found in the Kings Cross Station in London, England that houses rooms and rooms of Harry Potter “stuff” from floor to ceiling.

So with all of this attention it was only natural that someone would come up with a parody. This job fell to Daniel Clarkson and Jefferson Turner who are British actors, playwrights and directors. They invented the amazing “Potted Potter-The Unauthorized Harry Experience” which first saw the light of the stage in 2006 (prior to that the pair were performing five minute bits at the Potter book releases). It has been touring the United Kingdom, Australia and the United States ever since and is currently on stage in the Mimi Ohio Theatre at Playhouse Square in Cleveland, Ohio.

There has been some changes since the debut. For one, the lads have been replaced by a pair of lassies. Josephine Starte and Lottie Bell star as “Potted #1 and Potted #2” respectfully. The premise of the show, however, remains the same. All seven books of the Harry Potter series are raced through in an incredible 70 minutes without intermission which even includes an audience participation Quiddich match.

Starte is the straight woman of the pair having spent every waking hour pouring over the seven novels. She has entrusted Bell with procuring the 20 New York actors needed to flesh out the novel’s main characters, the stage set and all of the props needed to tell the story. Unfortunately, Bell is not quite up to the tasks as all the money went to “The Dragon” that appears briefly in book four “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire”.

What we have is two actors desperately playing all of the parts with various wigs and light weight costumes in front of bare bones stage sets. The result are absolutely hilarious. Whether you were a fan of the Potter series or not it simply does not matter. The two set upon actors are forced to “muggle through” the main parts of the books without time to catch a breath.

The evening I was there I was accompanied by my 33 year old son, Matt who found his love of reading through the Harry Potter Series when he was but a wee lad. It was interesting to note that there were scores of preteen youngsters in the audience with their parents who were all fans of the books showing the continuing popularity of the series. What makes this show great for young and old is it is just plain silly with some adult humor thrown in to keep the oldsters on their toes as well.

Potted Potter is the most mad capped 70 minutes you will ever spend in any theater. As each book is introduced you get a shirt tail explanation of the crux of each book with various parts lightly acted out. This is a show for muggles and wizards of all ages to enjoy together. The two actors early on form a strong bond with the audience which continues through the end. Ignore the snow and buy a ticket.

Potted Potter will be on stage in the Mimi Ohio Theatre on Playhouse Square in Cleveland, Ohio through January 12, 2024. for more information and to purchase tickets go to https://www.playhousesquare.org/ or call (216) 241-6000.