J.K. Rowling says 'Harry Potter and the Cursed Child' stage play will open in 2016

LONDON, June 26 (UPI) -- The stage drama Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is to premiere in London next year, author J.K. Rowling announced.

The scribe who penned seven Harry Potter novels, which were adapted as eight blockbuster movies, revealed Cursed Child is an "untold part of Harry's story," however she insisted it is not a prequel. Rowling offered no other details regarding the tale and what other characters from the Potterverse might appear in it.

"Today is a very special day for two reasons. Firstly, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone was published in the U.K. 18 years ago!" Rowling wrote in the first of several tweets Friday.

"I'm also very excited to confirm today that a new play called Harry Potter and the #CursedChild will be opening in London next year," she continued. "It will tell a new story, which is the result of a collaboration between writer Jack Thorne, director John Tiffany and myself. I don't want to say too much more, because I don't want to spoil what I know will be a real treat for fans. However, I can say that it is not a prequel! To answer one inevitable (and reasonable!) question - why isn't #CursedChild a new novel? - I am confident that when audiences see the play they will agree that it was the only proper medium for the story. I've had countless offers to extend Harry's story over the years, but Jack, John and Sonia Friedman are a dream team! It has been a huge pleasure to share with them (and soon, with you!) this untold part of Harry's story."