Warner Bros Studio Tour celebrates 15 years of Harry Potter with full calendar of special events
The Warner Brothers Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter, has lined up a host of special events for 2016 as the visitor attraction celebrates 15 years since the release of the first Harry Potter film.
A series of exhibitions and features at the studio in Leavesden will celebrate the anniversary of Harry Potter And The Philosopher's Stone, which was released on 4 November 2001 – the first of eight films based on the books by JK Rowling.
New features for 2016 will include a close up look in February at the Sorting Hat and stool on display for the first time in the Great Hall.
Between March and April, a special exhibition on Hagrid will tell the story of the half-giant, also revealing how he was brought to life on-screen, with a selection of costumes, props and filming techniques showcased to visitors.
Then for two weeks from 27 May, for the first time ever, visitors will be able to explore inside the set of 4 Privet Drive, home of the Dursley family and the place where Harry Potter grew up.
For six weeks starting 22 July, an exhibition looking at the first film, titled Finding the Philosopher’s Stone, will showcase iconic props from the movie, also revealing the filmmaking techniques used to create some of its special effects.
Finally, in the lead up to the 15th anniversary, starting 15 October and ending on 4 November, visitors will be able to admire authentic sets, props and costumes first created during production of the film, and the Great Hall will be dressed in the style of the Halloween feast. During this period visitors will also be able to discover more about other sets that have remained a constant throughout all eight films, including the Gryffindor common room, boys’ dormitory and Hagrid’s hut.
Bosses for the Studio Tour – which has gone from strength-to-strength since opening to the public in 2012, welcoming more than five million visitors in four years – have promised further “significant expansion” as part of a 10-year masterplan of the wider studio, which has also filmed blockbusters such as Goldeneye, The Dark Knight and Inception.
The attraction’s most recent and significant investment came in March 2015, when it debuted its 20,000sq ft (1,858sq m) Platform 9 ¾ expansion bringing the original Hogwarts Express back to its studio home for visitors to enjoy.
Harry Potter Hermione Hagrid Ron Weasley Warner Bros Studio Tour Voldermort Harry Potter Studio Tour Leavesden Watford Visitor Attraction MuseumHarry Potter studio tour in-line for 'significant expansion' at Leavesden studios
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