Harry Potter & The Philosophers Stone in Concert
2nd July 2017
Spark Arena, Auckland, New Zealand.
Review by Kate Taylor.
For orchestral and Wizarding World fans alike, Sunday’s Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone concert at Spark Arena was a magical evening out, where loud and rowdy behaviour was encouraged. For the first time in New Zealand, audiences were treated to a live performance of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone with the spellbinding visuals playing out on a 40 foot high definition screen complimented by the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra, playing alongside.
As the throngs of devotees to J.K. Rowling and the Wizarding World she has created bustled into Spark Arena, it was a mix of Hogwarts robes where “students” proudly displayed their house colours, or plenty of official Harry Potter licensed merch, the occasional big black wizardy cloak and with some even going the whole hog and creating cosplay of some of the Wizarding world’s favourite characters like Newt Scamander or The Boy Who Lived himself. Spark Arena even got in on the fun by theming out one of their food and beverage stands, renaming itself the Apothecary and decorating it with Potter appropriate cauldrons, witches hats and cobwebs to sell Butterbeer, Cauldron Cakes, Pumpkin Juice…but no Bertie Bott’s Every Flavour Beans or Chocolate Frogs that I could see.
As we moved to our seats to the accompaniment of a brief film speaking to John Williams and the creative team responsible for writing the iconic tinkling strains that are now known to accompany a trip to the Wizarding World. Excitement was building as the little featurette played out and the orchestra filled their seats. Strolling out to centre stage, our conductor for the evening made one request. “This is no ordinary concert. We want you to misbehave, we want you to yell and clap and scream for your favourite music, your favourite characters and favourite moments as we take you on a trip to the wonderful Wizarding World of J.K. Rowling.”
The collected Potter fans most certainly obliged in full voice cheering on the arrival of Hagrid to whisk Harry away from the loathsome Dursley’s, whooping for their favourite house, booing Slytherin, Draco Malfoy and of course Voldemort. Becoming a real interactive experience, each joke, each tender moment, was punctuated beautifully by a performance from the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra that was so perfected and seamless, that at times the full complement of instruments and their players onstage seemed to magically disappear as they hit every moment perfectly which allowed the viewer to melt into the beloved film. However it was the moments of action that benefitted the most from the full complement of players; with the first time Harry, Hermione and Ron work together to defeat the toilet troll bringing a huge roar of approval. During the excitement of Harry’s first Quidditch match the stage was awash with quivering bows, amplifying the action. Or the harp used to soothe the savage Fluffy, taking its rightful astounding place on stage as the strings were plucked for all to see.
A memorable, magical experience for any Harry Potter fan, for die-hards and casual viewers alike; if you’re in Christchurch and have the ability to get along to see this incredible fusion of film and original soundtrack score, then you most definitely should. EXPECTO PATRONUM!
Were you there at Spark Arena for this cinematic orchestral experience? Or have you seen a different movie score performed live somewhere else before? Tell us about it in the comments below!