So we finally saw Puffs last night and it was absolutely magical. From the moment we stepped into the foyer, we were transported to this world of whimsy and joy. There’s a lot to be said about fiction that makes you keel over with laughter, especially in this day and age. Looking around at all the house scarves and hats on twenty or thirty somethings, some in casual wear and some still in their office job work clothes, made me so happy. As we’ve grown, our interpretations of Potter have changed. But we all laughed at the same inside jokes and were moved by both familiar and unfamiliar stories from that certain school of magic and magic.

It wasn’t about Harry, it was about us and our golden childhoods spent waiting for book releases and midnight screenings and that fateful letter delivered by owl post. It felt like I was transported back to that time last night. The production values of the play are insane, the writing is so quick witted and surprising, and the cast blew me away. I don’t want to give too much away, but you really must go see this play. It’s been extended until July 29 at the Alex Theatre in St Kilda. You can find out more on their website. Tickets are only $49.90 on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. They also have rush tickets for only $25! All you need to do is line up at the Alex box office at 6:30pm for a 7:30pm show. But I’d recommend arriving earlier to avoid disappointment!

And although I’ve been working on CLOC shows in St Kilda since 2013, I still feel a little unsafe in the area. I was already thinking about getting home before the performance had even started. But there was such a warmth shared between us and the other audience members that carried us out into the streets and made me feel safe and comfortable. We all left with a little bit of Puffs spirit in our hearts.

(Images by Ben Fon Photography)