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PrintPotted Potter: A Review
I have to admit that although I have seen all the Harry Potter movies (and loved them), I only have a rudimentary understanding of the Potter books. My daughters, on the other hand, are staunch Potter fans, having read every book and watched the movies many times over!
Last year during its stop in Toronto, we had the chance to see ‘Potted Potter The Unauthorized Harry Experience’, playing at the Panasonic Theatre. Potted Potter is an off-the wall yet witty two-man parody of JK Rowling’s Harry Potter novels. All 7 books are quirkily recapitulated in 70 minutes.
Performers and writers Daniel Clarkson and Jefferson Turner amusingly depict many of the characters from the Potter series. Jeff is the Harry Potter expert and eagerly portrays the bespectacled Harry. Dan who is in complete disarray, muddily yet charmingly plays everyone else with the help of a limitless supply of wigs, hats, puppets, and crazy props… He spends much of the show explaining why he spent all the money set aside to employ 20 actors on the dragon in Book Four. Thumbs up to these two talented and comical actors who deliver a high energy, quick-paced show (there is no intermission).
Be prepared for craziness with glove-puppet creatures, outlandish jokes, quick changes, silly accents, and highly amusing slapstick. And the audience participation proves unruly, especially in a furious game of Quidditch.
The show is zany. We laughed the entire time. The scripts are clever and fresh, and the improvisations are fun. The show is absolutely recommended to Harry Potter fans – of all ages!
So if you’ve ever wanted to tackle the 7 Potter novels, save yourself the trouble and check out the whacky but utterly delightful Potted Potter!
Potted Potter was first seen in 2006, and played an international tour in 2012. Actors Dan and Jeff are best known for their TV appearances on CBBC and Blue Peter. In 2012, they were nominated for the prestigious Best Entertainment Olivier Award. The show is coming back to the Living Arts Centre Mississauga during March Break 2013.
For more info, visit www.livingartscentre.ca.
