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Voldemort: a foul-mouthed Potter parody

Christian Butler

Topics Culture

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Parodies of cult franchises have been a mainstay of the Fringe in recent years. The latest send-up to hit Edinburgh is Voldemort and the Teenage Hogwarts Musical Parody. The show’s creative team, Chris Grace and Zach Reino, co-created Thrones! The Musical Parody, a Game of Thrones tribute now in its 4th year at the Fringe.

This new show is a ludicrous prequel to the Harry Potter series set in 1942. It centres on a young Tom Riddle, who will grow up to become the evil Lord Voldemort. He’s joined by other younger versions of supporting characters from the Potterverse, including Hagrid, Dumbledore and Moaning Myrtle.

This is a foul-mouthed affair full of sex jokes. Its well-crafted songs poke fun at the absurdity of Harry Potter, while delving into the teen angst and morbidity of JK Rowling’s series. The best number satirises Rowling’s heavy use of foreshadowing, in a ‘One Day More’-style overlapping chorus.

Voldemort is funnier than The Cursed Child, and a lot easier to get a ticket for. A must-see for Potterheads.

★★★★☆

Christian Butler is a spiked columnist. Follow him on Twitter: @CPAButler

Voldemort and the Teenage Hogwarts Musical Parody is at Assembly George Square Studios until 27 August.

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