Entering the Ministry of Magic’s phone booth, jumping out of Newt’s suitcase, activating the portkey or summoning the Patronus – what was previously only possible for fantasy figures can now also be attempted by visitors to “Harry Potter – The Exhibition” in Meta Stadt in Vienna. The show looks back on 20 years of Harry Potter in film, shows original props and allows you to stroll through sets.
Fans can see original costumes up close, stylishly assembled and provided with informative text panels. Magic wands, swords and Alastro Moody’s hip flask are among the display cases. You enter the great hall of Hogwarts Castle and sit down at the blackboard, wander through the forbidden forest or take a seat at the table for fortune telling (e.g. to receive the message “Your potential is as great as the gourds in Hagrid’s pumpkin patch!”).
Exhibition note:
“Harry Potter – the exhibition” until March 19 in Vienna, Meta Stadt
“Don’t just look ahead!”
Harry Potter The Exhibition premiered in Philadelphia. “We put a lot of time and effort into collaborating with the people in the archives department at Warner Brothers,” said Tom Zaller, exhibit producer. “The show is divided into the different houses and time periods – and we have carefully selected the items that go with them. For example, if Hagrid’s hut is set up here, his umbrella should not be missing. And it is the original prop. Authenticity is important to us.”
The objects would tell stories, Zaller emphasized in an interview with the APA. “It’s regarding seeing costumes and props, interacting, getting behind the scenes, and taking photos. You get a behind-the-scenes look at why the costume designers chose this and not that. All of that in a cool setting.” Johanne Broadfield from Warner Brothers added: “I have an important tip for all visitors: don’t just look ahead, but also look down and up!”
need potions and pull mandrakes out of the pot
Installations make the Potter world tangible, “a bit of technology brings the magic to life,” as Zaller put it. You practice defending yourself once morest the dark arts, you can (interactively) brew magic potions and pull screaming mandrakes out of the pot. At various hands-on stations, you have to hold the bracelet you received at the start to a gold medal – “at the end you get a magical email,” says Zaller. The organizers strongly advised to reserve in good time. Some slots are already sold out, the rush is big. The Chamber of Secrets awaits…
