Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Parts One and Two: The Official Playscript of the Original West End Production – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Parts One and Two: The Official Playscript of the Original West End Production

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

book2017

76%

WISE Score

4.3

Amazon

Harry's a stressed-out dad, his son is a moody Slytherin, and Time-Turners are making a mess of the timeline again.

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Parts One and Two: The Official Playscript of the Original West End Production

book

2017

76%

WISE Score

4.3

Amazon

Harry's a stressed-out dad, his son is a moody Slytherin, and Time-Turners are making a mess of the timeline again.

4.3

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4.3

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Screenwise Verdict

It’s the 'eighth story' we all wanted, but maybe not in the format we expected. Since it's a script, you lose the lush, cozy descriptions of Hogwarts that made the original books so immersive.

It reads like the bones of a great story, but it's missing the skin and muscle. That said, for a Potter-obsessed kid, it's essential reading. Just be prepared for 'Dad Harry' to be a bit of a jerk sometimes—turns out saving the world doesn't automatically make you a pro at handling a middle-schooler's angst.

Age Fit

Best for ages 10 and up. Readers really need to have finished the original seven books to understand the stakes, and the script format requires a bit more focus to visualize the action.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

The core of the story is about a father and son trying to find common ground, which is solid. However, Harry is often portrayed as a frustrated, occasionally harsh parent, and the tone is considerably moodier than the earlier books.

Imaginative

The 'what-if' scenarios created by the Time-Turner plot are fascinating, showing alternate versions of the Wizarding World. It’s high-concept, even if some of the plot twists feel like high-budget fan fiction.

Safe

It's a book, so no digital safety risks. Content-wise, it features standard fantasy violence and some dark imagery (Dementors, alternate dark realities), but nothing more intense than the final three Harry Potter novels.

Enriching

It offers a great lesson on the complexity of legacy and the fact that even 'heroes' have flaws. Reading a playscript is also a fantastic way for kids to learn about dramatic structure and stagecraft.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Explores the 'what if' versions of the Wizarding World that fans have wondered about for years.
The friendship between Albus Potter and Scorpius Malfoy is genuinely touching and the best part of the book.
It's a very fast read because it's all dialogue, making it less intimidating for kids who struggle with thick novels.
Provides a more mature look at the original characters as adults with real-world problems.

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What to Watch For

The script format means there are no long descriptions; you have to imagine the scenery yourself.
Harry says some pretty hurtful things to his son in the heat of an argument that might be upsetting for younger kids.
The plot relies heavily on time travel, which can get confusing if you aren't paying close attention.

Conversation Starters

"Do you think Harry is being a fair dad to Albus, or is he putting too much pressure on him?"
"If you had a Time-Turner, would you actually use it, or is the risk of breaking the present too high?"
"Why do you think Albus and Scorpius became such fast friends despite their fathers' history?"
"Which 'alternate reality' in the book was the scariest to you?"

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