'Potted Potter' Stops In Mesa
Published on the East Valley Tribune, February 18th 2015
A message has been delivered by owl to all Harry Potter fans in the Valley, but in case you’ve missed it, here’s the message again: “Potted Potter – The Unauthorized Harry Experience” is coming to the Mesa Arts Center. This West End and Broadway smash hit is on its second tour of the U.S., bringing all seven Harry Potter books to life in just 70 minutes. The catch? There are only two men on stage tasked with pulling it off.
Originally created and performed by Dan Clarkson and Jeff Turner, the show began as a way to amuse fans as they stood in line for the sixth Harry Potter book. They started with doing five Harry Potter books in five minutes. Since then it has grown into a full-blown comedy show that is reminiscent of the great comedic British double acts.
Dan and Jeff have since moved on to create a new show, “Potted Sherlock,” leaving the roles of Harry and everybody else wide open. The wizard’s mantle fell to James Percy who is now playing Harry, while his friend and fellow actor Benjamin (Ben) Stratton gets the monumental task of performing the rest of the memorable characters.
“He’s definitely got the tough sweaty job.” Percy told me. “I get the prestigious job of being Harry, and Ben gets to dissolve into a sweaty mess for 70 minutes.”
As a young boy in Doncaster with dreams of being an actor, the idea of playing Harry Potter seemed like the best job in the world. Percy just did not realize then that he would have to wait until he grew up to get the opportunity to play the precocious eleven-year-old wizard.
“But it still counts! It definitely still counts!” He said with a laugh.
After two years in the rold, Percy is still just as excited to play Harry as ever. Part of what keeps Percy going is the uniquness of each performance. They know where they are starting and where they are going to end up, but the way they get there can change and evolve.
“There’s a lot of improv in the show. So it always keeps it fresh and keeps it feeling like opening night for us,” Percy said.
A lot of what happens depends on the audience, who is in essence the third actor. This is not the type of performance where you can just sit back and space out, Percy said. Audience participation is not only encouraged but also quite necessary.
“I believe we are the only theater show in the world where you can go and play a live game of Quiddich every night. It’s one of my favorite parts. It has to be seen to be believed!”
In order to prep for the monumental task of covering roughly 4,000 pages of magical action, Percy relies on coffee. The most challenging part of the show is maintaining the stamina required to power through the full program. Unlike other plays where actors come on and off stage, Percy and Stratton never leave once they walk on.
“Once it starts, there’s no stopping it. It’s like a roller coaster. We just strap ourselves in and ride the thing all the way through that 70 minutes.”
A special part of this show has been the loyal fans, Percy said. Very few shows offer such a unique experience for both actors and audiences. Percy said that the closest thing he could compare it to is “The Rocky Horror Picture Show,” in that the audience will dress up and interact with the performers.
“You look out and most of the time a big percentage of the audience is dressed in Hogwarts uniforms. It’s amazing and sometimes we look out and it looks like we’re doing the show in the Great Hall of Hogwarts,” he said.
But don’t worry if you are not up on your wizardry. Reading the books or watching the movies is not a requirement in order to enjoy the show.
“All you need to know was that Harry was a boy wizard.” said Percy.
At its heart, “Potted Potter” is a loving tribute to a cultural icon. As for Rowling herself, the story goes that she once tried to see the show in Edinburgh, Scotland, but was turned away. It wasn’t until later that she was recognized, but it was too late and she was already gone. As far as Percy knows, she still has not made it to a performance. Now, no matter where the show is, they always save a seat for the great writer herself.
Originally created and performed by Dan Clarkson and Jeff Turner, the show began as a way to amuse fans as they stood in line for the sixth Harry Potter book. They started with doing five Harry Potter books in five minutes. Since then it has grown into a full-blown comedy show that is reminiscent of the great comedic British double acts.
Dan and Jeff have since moved on to create a new show, “Potted Sherlock,” leaving the roles of Harry and everybody else wide open. The wizard’s mantle fell to James Percy who is now playing Harry, while his friend and fellow actor Benjamin (Ben) Stratton gets the monumental task of performing the rest of the memorable characters.
“He’s definitely got the tough sweaty job.” Percy told me. “I get the prestigious job of being Harry, and Ben gets to dissolve into a sweaty mess for 70 minutes.”
As a young boy in Doncaster with dreams of being an actor, the idea of playing Harry Potter seemed like the best job in the world. Percy just did not realize then that he would have to wait until he grew up to get the opportunity to play the precocious eleven-year-old wizard.
“But it still counts! It definitely still counts!” He said with a laugh.
After two years in the rold, Percy is still just as excited to play Harry as ever. Part of what keeps Percy going is the uniquness of each performance. They know where they are starting and where they are going to end up, but the way they get there can change and evolve.
“There’s a lot of improv in the show. So it always keeps it fresh and keeps it feeling like opening night for us,” Percy said.
A lot of what happens depends on the audience, who is in essence the third actor. This is not the type of performance where you can just sit back and space out, Percy said. Audience participation is not only encouraged but also quite necessary.
“I believe we are the only theater show in the world where you can go and play a live game of Quiddich every night. It’s one of my favorite parts. It has to be seen to be believed!”
In order to prep for the monumental task of covering roughly 4,000 pages of magical action, Percy relies on coffee. The most challenging part of the show is maintaining the stamina required to power through the full program. Unlike other plays where actors come on and off stage, Percy and Stratton never leave once they walk on.
“Once it starts, there’s no stopping it. It’s like a roller coaster. We just strap ourselves in and ride the thing all the way through that 70 minutes.”
A special part of this show has been the loyal fans, Percy said. Very few shows offer such a unique experience for both actors and audiences. Percy said that the closest thing he could compare it to is “The Rocky Horror Picture Show,” in that the audience will dress up and interact with the performers.
“You look out and most of the time a big percentage of the audience is dressed in Hogwarts uniforms. It’s amazing and sometimes we look out and it looks like we’re doing the show in the Great Hall of Hogwarts,” he said.
But don’t worry if you are not up on your wizardry. Reading the books or watching the movies is not a requirement in order to enjoy the show.
“All you need to know was that Harry was a boy wizard.” said Percy.
At its heart, “Potted Potter” is a loving tribute to a cultural icon. As for Rowling herself, the story goes that she once tried to see the show in Edinburgh, Scotland, but was turned away. It wasn’t until later that she was recognized, but it was too late and she was already gone. As far as Percy knows, she still has not made it to a performance. Now, no matter where the show is, they always save a seat for the great writer herself.