Potted Potter is a 70 minute stage play by two former BBC children’s hosts – Dan Clarkson and Jeff Turner. Potted Potter is a fun way for kids, Potter addicts and other non-wizard believing folks to revisit the Harry Potter series. The Potter experience is presented as an unauthorized parody of the J.K Rowling series, but after attending the opening night event at the Panasonic Theatre, I’d reframe ‘parody’ to ‘fan tribute’.

This two-man tribute feels like a book report meets high school play on speed…but in a good way. Dan and Jeff are charming and amicably silly. Adlibbing, giggling at their own jokes and their love for the show and the novels resonates.

You wouldn’t know this by looking at it, but Potted Potter has been on the circuit since 2006 and Toronto marks the show’s first North American stop. The greenness is  felt in the scripting, staging, sets, and the wardrobe. Kudos to the smart choice to avoid emulating the Harry Potter world (’cause let’s be honest it’s too good to recreate), but to design their own interpretation of it with cheap and fun props. So, if you are expecting a Harry Potter, Universal studio experience this show is not for you!  However, the skill and wonderful performances from Dan and Jeff, who commit to every character with overzealous eagerness with energy to spare, makes this an enjoyable…semi-magical ride.

Writer’s Note: I am a super Harry Potter dork and photos above are a mix of my trip to the Harry Potter wizarding world at Universal Studios, Orlando Florida.

Similar posts: