Universal Orlando has announced additional impressive parts of their Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley expansion.
On the performance side of things, Universal revealed today in a press release that Diagon Alley will host two shows throughout the day.
First up is retellings of two stories from The Tales of Beedle the Bard, the story first featured in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. “A new stage show taking place within Carkitt Market, a covered, outdoor shopping area inspired by London’s famous markets,” says Universal. “The show will feature a troupe of four from the Wizarding Academy of Dramatic Arts who have set up to perform a trunk show using stylized scenic pieces, props and puppetry fabricated by Emmy-award-winning designer Michael Curry. Curry is best known as the production designer on projects including the 2010 Winter Olympics opening ceremony and the 2012 Super Bowl halftime show.”
The two stories from Beedle the Bard that you’ll see performed are “The Fountain of Fair Fortune” and “The Tale of the Three Brothers.”
The second show will be “The Singing Sorceress: Celestina Warbeck and the Banshees.” Universal says this show is “a musical performance featuring the ever-popular singing sensation of the wizarding world, known from the books as Molly Weasley’s favorite singer, who she listens to on the Wizarding Wireless Network. The swinging show will feature never-before heard songs including, ‘A Cauldron Full Of Hot, Strong Love,’ ‘You Stole My Cauldron But You Can’t Have My Heart’ and ‘You Charmed The Heart Right Out Of Me’.”
The aforementioned song titles were created by J.K. Rowling. The lyrics, seemingly not penned by the author, “include never-before-revealed information on Celestina’s wand from Pottermore.” The tie-in between Pottermore and the park is interesting!
The theme park also confirmed a couple of additional tidbits: Ollivander’s Wand Shop will indeed be in Diagon Alley as heavily rumored, and you’ll be able to watch the Knight Bus conductor talk with the shrunken head on the iconic purple vehicle.
Finally, Universal announced the ability to convert real money into wizard money to be used in Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley. “Guests will be able to interact with a Gringotts bank goblin and exchange their Muggle currency for Wizarding Bank Notes,” the park says. The bank teller is pictured in the photo at the top of this article.
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley doesn’t have an official opening date yet, but guests can book vacation packages that let them in as early as June 29.