‘Potted Potter’ casts another spell on Manila

The Boy Who Lived is about to get another life in Manila.

Potted Potter — Britain’s unique satirical show that manages to condense “all seven Harry Potter books into 70 minutes” — is coming back to Manila for a third run, for 10 shows from Sept. 30 to Oct. 5 at the Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium, RCBC Plaza, Makati, with tickets on sale now.

This may come as a surprise, but other than the UK, the Philippines is the only other place in the world that has demanded a third helping of Potted Potter. So, show creators Dan Clarkson and Jeff Turner were more than happy to supply Potter-heads with more of the rapid-fire show that appeals to young, old, fans and non-fans alike.

In London, we recently spoke with co-creator Jeff and actor Benjamin Stratton (who’ll be playing most of the roles in the upcoming Manila run) about what keeps this show going, long after the Potter books are done, and JK Rowling has moved on to penning mysteries under a pen name.

So what it is about Manila audiences? “Jesse (Britton) and Gary (Trainor) reported the audiences went crazy,” says Jeff in a comfortable nook of a London hotel. “They never felt so much like rock stars. I’m coming for the opening night in Manila, and I’m really excited to be there to experience it.”

With James Percy playing Harry during the Manila run, expect a show packed with enough in-jokes and slapstick to please nerdy fans — and enough local references to make Manila audiences smile. “Yes, the core of the show will be similar,” says Jeff, “but Ben and James have turned it into like a double act, so although they’ve got a script, their show does evolve and change, and there’s a lot of improvisation from night to night.”

James adds: “The core of the show is there but there will be local references, slightly tailored to wherever we go.”

For a show that began in a bookstore line on Oxford Street (Ben and Dan were asked to perform a little skit to appease fans lining up for Rowling’s Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince in 2005), Potted Potter has become a virtual touring juggernaut, traveling to dozens of places around the world. Let’s face it, there are millions upon millions of Potter fans out there, and they love anything that pays even satirical tribute. “It’s a very British thing: if you love something, make fun of it,” says Jeff. “When we started going on tour, we were nervous whether the fans would accept us or not. We think it’s because Dan and I are huge Harry Potter fans, so it does come from a place of love.”

They note the show’s success lies in its appeal to all ages. The Quidditch matches in particular bring out the kid in many competitive males who are invited onstage. “We’ve had grown men push children out of the way — not their own children! — to score, and you can tell they think it’s some huge sports final,” says Jeff. “There’s something about competition, then the men suddenly realize they’re actually a father of two, they should probably calm down a bit.”

As this is a strictly “unauthorized” take on Harry Potter, I couldn’t help wondering if author Rowling had seen the show, or acknowledged its existence? Maybe issued a cease-and-desist order?

“Her people have seen it, and they’ve been very kind about leaving us alone, really,” jokes Jeff. “I don’t think we‘re a threat to the global Harry Potter empire!”

Still, there is a persistent urban myth that the authoress herself was turned away from a sold-out Potted Potter performance at the Edinburgh Festival in 2006. Jeff sheds some light: “It was our last show, we were just packing up, and this front house girl, she was 17 or 18, she was crying. And we said, ‘No, this is exciting! We’ve finished, we can go get a Butter Beer.’ And it turns out, a lady had come by and asked for a ticket, and they told her it was sold out, and the house manager came back and said, ‘Was that JK Rowling you just spoke to?’ So they chased around, looking for her. We don’t know if it’s definite. But we now say, absolutely anywhere in the world, including Manila, we always leave one ticket not sold. So if she turns up, it’s there. Because if you do it once, it’s an accident, but if you do it again, it’s malicious.”

Having seen these actors spouting rapid-fire dialogue on video, I wondered how many words per minute they can speak. “That is a very good question,” says Jeff. “We have to slow it down a little bit abroad, just for accent reasons. We don’t go full pelt, because I think the audience would be exhausted after five minutes.”

Ben offers: “I do have one line in the show where I go really, really fast which is… (recites a line about Harry’s origins unfathomably fast),” which appropriately impresses us.

After the Manila return, Potted Potter will move on to cruise ships and a Canada run for Christmas, but Jeff himself is busy with a new project: rehearsals with Dan for Potted Sherlock, set to debut in Edinburgh Festival in August.

Another thing that keeps Potted Potter fresh is it’s frequent jabs at current pop stars and pop culture, whether it’s Justin Bieber, Miley Cyrus, or Twilight.

I joke that this could be their new direction when Potted Potter is finally retired: Potted Twilight.

“We would, but there’s no plot,” shrugs Jeff. “It would probably come out to one minute 45 seconds long.”

“Just come out pouting,” jokes Ben.

For the meantime, Manila audiences will enjoy a third-time’s-a-charm helping of Ben and Jeff’s wacky show. And yes, expect some chocolate frogs.

“Choco frogs will be given out in Manila,” affirms Ben. “I think we can manage.”

“It’s got to be done,” concurs Jeff.

And with a wave of their wands, it is accomplished.

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Potted Potter 2014 is presented by Potted Productions, Concertus Manila, and Lunchbox Theatrical Productions together with co-presenting partner, Visa. Visa cardholders get 10% off on purchases until Aug. 15.

Call TicketWorld at 891-9999 or visit www.TicketWorld.com.ph to book your seats.