Harry Potter and the Cursed Child - SPOILER THREAD

Having seen it the second time yesterday, first time in the Balcony and this time row F stalls central aisle seat, the play seems equally incredible. As my first viewing I loved the physical movement of the train scenes in clearer detail, and this alike the dementor scenes seem more impressive I imagine for first time viewers as you can't see the cables from row F, from the balcony I always suspected something was going to happen.
I suppose the magical effects are a bit diluted the second time, as although it was worth going to see the effect from a better vantage point as well as see the writing all over the Palace walls which I missed from the balcony, the fact that I knew what the effects were removed some of the wow!
I imagine some people who go will want to return for the effects, rather than the acting. However, it was the dramatic content of the play that really engaged me the first time, and having felt a bit disconnected from the balcony I was just waiting to get the opportunity to feel immersed in the emotion by being front stalls.
Jamie Parker was impressive in June, and more so now. He seems to have the torment nailed, and his pairing with Poppy Miller is fantastic. Alex Price wasn't on as Draco, it was James Howard, I think. Aside from appearance, the understudy looks a bit more like Lucius Malfoy actually, both actors play the role very similarly - although that's not a bad thing. For me, the slight menace that Draco evokes was contrasting to Scorpius' quirkiness much more prom unitedly. Anthony Boyle seems to have grown in to the humour a lot more, and had many more laughs this time, and brings out the wired dimensions more prominently.
However, and like my first viewing, my favourite character of all was Albus. I find Scorpius interesting, but I generally find Albus to be the much more real character. I suppose this could be because I identified with the characterisation and dramatic arc, but I liked that Rowling didn't provide a front or facade, and that, for me, helps bring out the fragility of the character. Sam Clemmett made the performance believable, more so than last time which I didn't think would be possible. Sam seems to have the perfect chemistry will all the actors he interacts with, which never renders Albus a character that had dimensions because of the magic and special effects to draw interest. But rather conveying the simple honest emotion. The connection between Sam's Albus and Jamie's Harry at the killing of James and Lily and the final scene didn't make me cry the first time, but the little extra spark from growing into the parts this time did, although this could equally have been helped by sitting close to the stage.
Having seen the play twice, part 1 was still interesting, but it was part 2 that still shocked and impressed me more. I feel part 1 is a great introduction to the characters, to identities, the magic, and the concept of the play. But once you know that, you know it and it limited, for me, the amount I could get out the play. The reason why part 2 shocked me so much more the second time, I think, was because the story progresses at a slower rate, rather than covering many years of school. Equally I felt much more intimidated the second time at the part 2 opening with the Slytherin takeover. Being able to see facial expressions and appreciate the physical movement at eye level created a much greater sense of domineering menace that I missed in June. But it was when Voldermort walked directly through the aisle by me that I was most intimidated. Even though I always knew this would happen, you never get a realisation of Voldermort's appearance from the balcony or appreciate the presence evoked when the character actually walks past you.
Would I see the play again? Well yes for the Harry/Albus relationship, and as I have a ticket for the balcony late next year, which, having seen the beauty of the play up close, does not bother me. With 10 or so months to go, I imagine the play will be as impressive as the content less fresh; I read the play three times in the two months between my two visits so I'll stay away from that. Who knows what'll happen casting wise, and I adore the current cast, but the prospect of new interpretations intrigues me and makes me want to return. I'd be fascinated to see if another actor takes over from Sam Clemmett, and it so, if I still identify so much with Albus.

Anybody knows for how long the current cast is staying? (I'm mostly interested in Jamie Parker. Well, okay. He's actually the only one I'm interested in here..)

Actually I can't wait for Jamie to get the hell out of there and doing something else but I guess I'll try the lottery in November then. Thanks!

Heck, rumbledoll, pay premium price if you have to. He's totally. Worth. It. ;-)

So I'm wondering how popular Cursed Child will be for Halloween costumes this year! Would possibly be giving away spoilers though I reckon if you went as Delphi in her full guise

When I went last month they had a guy with a box at the doors, but weren't giving them out to everybody when leaving the auditorium. I think it was more of 'if you want one'.

When I went the other week there was just one person giving them out at the end of part one at the main doors, and then nothing at the end of part two, so I'm guessing they're just giving out what's left. I do like the badges though, before the script came out it was like being a part of a secret club.

It's a lose lose situation, fans who couldn't get tickets would feel excluded from those who could get tickets but at the same time, knowing what happens does slightly ruin the surprises. In a more cynical way, publishing the script means it's another revenue generator for JKR and her publishers, I'm not sure if the Fantastic Beasts script will sell as well since the film will be much more widely available but clearly she, her publishers and Warner Bros must think it'll sell well enough to justify making it available

Would you say that the part of Delphi has improved (either the character or the actress or both)?  I found her to be a bit of a weak link in the second part.  I won't be seeing the show again until October next year when there's likely been a full cast change, but I'm curious if they worked out the kinks here. 

For people who have seen the play can you explain how the scene changes work? Does it fade to black for a while then the lights come back on to a new setting? How long does that usually take?

Also how did they do the lake sequence? Underwater and swimming on the surface, what did that look like on stage?

On my first visit I sat on row BB, second row centre aisle, and nobody got wet. They splash very little, just for a moment. On my second visit I was a bit further back, row G, but again pretty sure nobody got wet.