Watching a Harry Potter movie in the grandiose surroundings of the Royal Albert Hall with a live orchestra will cast a spell over you that will never be broken

Conducted by Justin Freer, the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra and the English Chamber Choir performed Alexandre Desplat’s epic score as the franchise’s penultimate film was projected onto the big screen.

Upon arrival, there were an array of muggles dressed for the occasion. Capes, scarves, witches’ hats and even the odd wand, the Potterheads don’t do things by halves.

A quick survey of the audience showed that the production had attracted a range of attendees. There were families, couples, groups of friends and viewers from many different demographics. In a private box close to middle of the Hall, I noticed an actor who appears in a minor supporting role in the film, who appeared to be a paying guest attending with friends and keeping a low profile. It was not quite low enough though, as there were a few murmurings of his name audible amongst staunch Potterheads for whom his presence did not go unnoticed.

The conductor opened proceedings by welcoming everyone and garnering cheers for the Gryffindors, Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws, and inevitably boos for the Slytherins. Not that anyone dared to class themselves as a Slytherin anyway. The conductor doing the introduction is the only aspect of the evening I would change. Freer is an excellent conductor and did a sterling job presiding over the orchestra that evening. But for a concert such as this, it would have been more special if perhaps an actor or someone involved in the movie did the introduction. I attended Skyfall in Concert in late 2022, and the director Sam Mendes did an excellent introduction with fascinating anecdotes. It really set a special tone for the evening and gave it more of an ‘event’ feel.  

Nevertheless, the orchestra played to precision at all times, and it was an enchanted evening overall. I left wanting to see the final instalment in concert and could honestly have taken a quick break and returned if they’d showed them back to back. Seeing a Film in Concert is an experience to remember, and there is no better place to do it than in the magical surroundings of the Royal Albert Hall. They happen sporadically, so keep an eye out for them. With Christmas approaching, there are showings of Home Alone in Concert on Saturday December 2^nd and Sunday December 3^rd, and Elf in Concert on Saturday December 9^th.