Potted Potter: From New York to Manila

Gary Trainor

MANILA, Philippines - As the magic of Potted Potter continues to cast its spell in New York, the award-winning show will run in Manila from Aug. 28 to Sept. 2 for a limited season of 10 shows only at the Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium, RCBC Plaza.

Playing to sold-out houses all over the world, Potted Potter takes on the ultimate challenge of condensing all seven Harry Potter books (and a real-life game of Quidditch) into 70 hilarious minutes. The fantastically funny show features all your favorite characters, a special appearance from a fire-breathing dragon, endless costumes, brilliant songs, ridiculous props and a generous helping of Hogwarts magic.

Created by double Olivier Award Best Entertainment nominees Daniel Clarkson and Jefferson Turner, the show is a must-see for Potter addicts and a great introduction to the series for anyone who’s ever wondered what all the fuss is about. Even if you don’t know the difference between a Horcrux and a Hufflepuff, Potted Potter will make you roar with laughter. It’s perfect for ages six to Dumbledore (who is very old, indeed).

The successful touring production is composed of two of the best international performers. Jesse Briton is an actor, writer and a director. He has been trained under East 15 Acting School in UK in which he earned a nomination as Best Actor in Spotlight Prize 2012 even just during his training. His experiences in acting include his participation in the stage adaptation of Mr Benn and the one-man show, Bassonists Against the Cuts. As a writer, he had great success for Bound, a sea-bleached tragedy of maritime decline told with traditional sea shanties, which gathered numerous awards in Edinburgh Fringe and earned him a nomination as the Evening Standard’s Most Promising Playwright. As a director, he handled Bound and Enduring Song for Bear Trap Theater Company in which he is the company’s artistic director.

Jesse Briton

Joining Jesse is Gary Trainor, an Irish actor whom had trainings at The Italia Conti Academy where he gained a first class BA   Degree in acting. Part of his acting experience is in the critically-acclaimed UK tour of Frankenstein as the lead actor, Shelly. He was also seen in Buddy, The Buddy Holly Story, The Shawshank Redemption, Stones in His Pockets, Into The Woods and Jago. To top it off, he was recently chosen to take part in The Old Vic New Voices, which is a 24-hour play project.

Recently, the New York Times released a feature of Potted Potter involving the Hogwarts Alumni who witnessed the spectacular spoof. These so-called “alumni” are Manhattan middle schoolers who have read all the books and seen the movies for more than their age. Apparently, their favorite part was the real-life Quidditch game which were participated by the actors together with the audience. Having said that, the New York season extends, adding three more weeks of shows due to evidently overwhelming demand and almost sold-out tickets for its US premiere.

Potted Potter in Manila is produced by Lunchbox Theatrical Productions, Potted Productions and Concertus Manila. It’s brought to Manila by etc, 2nd Avenue, Jack TV, The Philippine STAR, Radio High 105.1, Monster Radio RX 93.1, 99.5RT, ClickTheCity, PEP.ph, Candymag.com and RCBC Realty Corp.

Book your tickets now at Ticketworld (with tel. no. 891-9999) or log on to www.ticketworld.com.ph.