October is the time when all the dark, spooky things come out – ghosts, ghouls and all sorts of other ghastliness. And to this gruesome mix, this year you can now add horcruxes, the headquarters of the Death Eaters, and a 20-foot snake on a dinner table.
Yes, Warner Bros Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter is cackling gleefully as it unveils its new permanent feature devoted to the Dark Arts, the first time since the attraction opened in March 2012, that it has added new sets and props to its permanent display.
The current Malfoy Manor fireplace will be expanded to showcase the full set, which became the headquarters of Lord Voldemort’s followers, the Death Eaters, in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part One. Visitors will be able to peer into the drawing room that features ornate chandeliers, an imposing fireplace, and the long, grand table around which Bellatrix Lestrange, the Malfoy family, the Death Eaters and Voldemort sat.
The mannequin of captured Muggles Studies teacher Charity Burbage will be suspended above the set, while a life-like model of Voldemort’s loyal, 20-foot-long snake Nagini will sit on the mahogany table, which will be framed by the costumes of the rat-like Peter Pettigrew and Potions master Severus Snape.
The new section will also include a variety of never-before-seen artefacts and props from Borgin and Burkes, the Knockturn Alley shop Harry accidentally stumbles into in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.
Visitors will be able to see these weird and wonderful props up close, including the mysterious Hand of Glory, the Vanishing Cabinet and the sarcophagus that hid Harry during a deleted scene from the second film.
A selection of Dolores Umbridge’s Ministry of Magic office including her garish kitten plates, perfectly putrid pink costumes and desk, will be on show, as well as Defence Against the Dark Arts professor Remus Lupin’s costumes, magical projector and gramophone.
“We’re looking forward to unveiling the Dark Arts feature just in time for Halloween,“ says Sarah Roots, vice president of Warner Bros Studio Tour London.
“It will showcase the darkest parts of the films and include some props and costumes that have never been on public display before.“
To celebrate the launch of the new permanent additions, the Studio Tour will also offer extra Dark Arts activities throughout the October half term – a section of the Halloween feast from Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone will be on display in Hogwarts’ Great Hall; and, for two weeks only, visitors will be able to walk down a darker Diagon Alley as the lights are dimmed, the music becomes more foreboding and the wizarding shopping street is patrolled by Death Eaters.
Halloween is going to be extra spooky this year.
- Warner Bros Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter, Aerodrome Way, Leavesden from Friday, October 17 to Monday, November 3. Details: wbstudiotour.co.uk
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