HARRY POTTER AND THE CURSED CHILD marks nine years at the Palace Theatre, plus global screen and stage updates

HARRY POTTER AND THE CURSED CHILD celebrated nine years at London’s Palace Theatre on 30 July, continuing a landmark West End run. The original two part production remains the only place worldwide to offer the complete experience, with nine exclusive characters including Hagrid, Bane and Young Harry. Booking now extends through 15 February 2026.

The London staging underscores its scale every night, with a 45 strong cast, 66 backstage crew, 650 costumes and around 700 lighting cues per performance. The production has collected nine Olivier Awards and six Tony Awards among 60 major honours. More than two million people have seen the show in the West End, with over 11 million attendees worldwide.

Producers Sonia Friedman and Colin Callender marked the milestone by praising London’s unique theatrical experience. The franchise continues to expand, with five international productions currently running and a ninth set to open in the Netherlands in 2026.

Format flies, SHAOLIN HEROES lands in France

Banijay Entertainment will bring the adventure reality format SHAOLIN HEROES to France on M6, with Endemol France producing the fourth international adaptation. Created by Metronome in the Nordics, the series follows seven celebrities as they train in disciplines taught by Shaolin warrior monks under the guidance of two masters. The format has outperformed primetime averages in Denmark and launched strongly in Belgium and the Netherlands.

Jean Louis Blot, CEO of Endemol France, called the show raw, emotional and inspiring. Lucas Green, Banijay’s chief content officer, highlighted its universal themes of transformation and resilience.

Content convergence in India

Banijay Asia has partnered with Collective Artists Network to launch a creator driven ecosystem for Indian content. The collaboration will develop creator first properties across scripted, unscripted, branded and digital formats, from long form series to vertical social content. Early partners include Aisha Ahmed, Dolly Singh and Kashish, who will help shape brand friendly projects.

Founder and group CEO Deepak Dhar described the move as a bold new chapter where creators drive the narrative. Group chief development officer Mrinalini Jain called it a creator powered revolution.

PARINEETA returns to cinemas

Vidhu Vinod Chopra’s banner, Vinod Chopra Films, will re release PARINEETA across India on 29 August to celebrate the film’s twentieth anniversary. Directed by the late Pradeep Sarkar and starring Vidya Balan, Saif Ali Khan and Sanjay Dutt, the romance has been restored in 8K with remastered 5.1 surround sound. The four year restoration included work at L’Immagine Ritrovata in Bologna. The week long run salutes the film’s legacy and Vidya Balan’s debut.

London Critics’ Circle dates set

The 46th London Critics’ Circle Film Awards will be held on 1 February 2026 at The May Fair Hotel, with nominations due on 15 December 2025. Mark Kermode returns as host. Last year’s winners included THE BRUTALIST for Film of the Year and CONCLAVE for British and Irish Film of the Year, with Ralph Fiennes and Marianne Jean Baptistetaking the top acting honours. Under new chair Jane Crowther, organisers aim to deliver the biggest edition yet.