Crikey!

[birdsofshore]

There's going to be a Harry Potter prequel play. A proper one, in the West End, with JKR co-producing and stuff. About the 'previously untold story of Harry Potter’s early years as an orphan and outcast’.

(sob, so no Draco, then.... OR WILL THERE BE??)

A little bit more info here if you don't mind the - yeuch - Daily Mail, sorry.

I am tentatively excited about this! But, I don't know, something about it leaves me slightly nervous. I think it's the 'orphan and outcast' bit. I'm imagining Annie or something, with lots of feelgood songs. O_o Let's hope I will be proved SO WRONG.

However, I REALLY like the look of the new UK HP art by Jim Kay. I never liked the UK book covers in the slightest, and I am jealous of the US illustrations, which I admire. The new UK editions will be fully illustrated *glee*.



Oh, pretty! Fresh, lovely colours and Harry is very charming with his clear eyes and mussed hair. The style of this one reminds me of leochi, or is that just because it's watercolour?

Harry looks more sly and mischievous in the b/w drawing, however, I think this one is actually my favourite of the two:



Hogwarts looks utterly magical, but not in a cute and sparkly way. I would say it's gorgeously creepy with fairy-tale influences:



It's hard to draw many conclusions from these couple of pieces, but I'm hoping the illustrations are all going to have this slight edge to them.  Either way I'm very happy we are getting a whole lot of new art, and yes, it'll be tempting to buy an entire new set...

I really like the quote where Jim Kay says "the commission of a lifetime" brought "an explosion of delight, followed instantly by an implosion of brain-freezing terror". :DDDDD

I have a feeling we are in safe hands with this one. <3

Comments

[birdsofshore]

I think they're all the same artist? I like them all, although I like HBP more than the ones you posted.

Re: ???

[who_la_hoop]

In general, they're over confident and precocious. I find it irritating and unnatural. But then I am not a fan of children acting in general - they're rarely any good at it. And I say that as someone who acted as a child myself.

[subtlefire.livejournal.com]

I'm not sure how I feel about the play, but I do know how I feel about the art :) Hogwarts ♥

[who_la_hoop]

Benny would be an ace Petunia. Although I think he has great potential for Mrs Figg - I see him rocking an old-lady wig, covered in cats.

[birdsofshore]

I mostly agree with you...

One thing I would love to see is graphic novels of the books. I think, in the hands of the right artist / writer team, that could be AMAZING. It seems to me to be ripe for it. But I know JKR is very passionate about literacy, and perhaps she feels that comics of the books would dilute that power that the series has had to get kids reading. Maybe one day, though. I live in hope!

[birdsofshore]

Yes! So odd and so loveable at the same time! Imagine what he might do with Diagon Alley, or Dumbledore, or the Malfoys, or Hagrid, or....

I'm looking forward to everything! It's like discovering the books all over again, seeing them through fresh eyes. Imagine the Marauders!

Re: ???

[birdsofshore]

You're making baby Tom Felton sad D:

[birdsofshore]

Maybe it'll be like a panto, with all the actors in drag, slapping their thighs and wearing frilly drawers?

XDDD

Re: ???

[who_la_hoop]

Oh god! I bet he was unspeakable. He looks it; all that curly hair :DD Was he Little Orphan Annie, by any chance? Arf!

[capitu]

Oh, graphic novels would be to die for. Many things could happen, live and hope, as you said. :) Personally, I'm (still) waiting for the encyclopaedia. lol

[who_la_hoop]

THAT WOULD BE AMAZING. Probably more amazing than the actual play will be :DD

I don't know; it'll either be all nauseatingly 'chin up, Harry' and with a hideous moral message to be brave, or it'll be depressing. I don't know why the don't want to just stage the first book - that would be so much fun! I'm sure they could do the magic brilliantly with stage-craft and puppets. I could probably put up with the kiddies overacting for that.

Re: ???

[birdsofshore]

Watch it, I'm mother to a curly ;-)

He was Peagreen in the Borrowers :DD (who? O_o)

I'm sure he wasn't insufferable AT ALL

Re: ???

[nevrafire.livejournal.com]

what did you acted on?

[firethesound]

LOL! That's wonderful, and now I'm also wondering what she which line she wasn't willing to cross.

Re: ???

[who_la_hoop]

I'm sure your child is ADORABLE. But as soon as he starts acting, he becomes the devil's child, just saying :DD

HDU not know Peregrine Overmantel :DD Are you not a fan of the series? I always liked the sequels better than the first book, mind you.

Re: ???

[birdsofshore]

I adore the first one! I couldn't get on with the others, at all! Is Peagreen a real book character, then? I thought they'd made him up :DD

[birdsofshore]

She was the worst PITA to live next to I have ever known. In fact, one of her boyfriends went to prison and then she got evicted (the loud sex was absolutely the thin end of the wedge, believe me). The bloke from the council who came round to assess the noise (kind of a hilarious experience, standing in our living room at 2 am with a clipboard, writing down the filthy rap lyrics we could all hear booming through the walls) said she was the most complained about person in (our town).

[birdsofshore]

It would be wonderful, wouldn't it, the first book could be superb!

I cannot imagine how they can make a prequel amazing, but I am going to HAVE FAITH and drag you to see it no matter how shit it is

[birdsofshore]

I just don't know. The whole concept confuses me, but I'm intrigued... definitely intrigued.

Re: All Yay!!! also Yes I'm not the only one!!!

[birdsofshore]

I think JKR's illustrations are fab! Definitely appealing enough to be published.

The giant fish monster is REALLY interesting to me. I love the fact he has made Hogwarts look a little bit like a sinister, living, unpredictable thing. It's wonderful what different artists bring to the HP universe.

[who_la_hoop]

I don't know - your line in the sand was American Psycho the Musical, mine just might be small acting children :DD I will withhold judgement until Benny's casting as Mrs Figg is confirmed.

Now I am thinking about Hamlet! Is it too early to be excited? :D

Re: ???

[who_la_hoop]

He is a very lovely, lonely borrower who likes books <3

My favourite is the one where they live in a model village, until they are kidnapped! And have to escape in a tiny hot air balloon! :D Marvellous stuff.

[birdsofshore]

I would say the answer to that is:



NO.

Re: ???

[birdsofshore]

Gosh. Well, I may try them again one day. As I recall, my eldest wasn't keen on the later ones, either, but I shall ask him tomorrow.

He said at bedtime, btw, that he was going to rewrite COS from Snape's POV :DDD

[mab.livejournal.com]

\o/ I'm pumped about this!