Thanks to our correspondent, Jennifer Stewart for a detailed report on the preview day of Harry Potter: The Exhibition at the Pacific Science Center in Seattle, WA on Thursday. She toured the set for the films, saw new props from Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows including Bellatrix's robes, wand, and dagger (photographed below), Decoy Detonators, and Neville Longbottom's Muggle clothes during the final battle. You can read her report by clicking the "Read More" button. Photos from the exhibition can be seen in hi-res in our galleries.
Harry Potter the Exhibit at the Pacific Science Center in Seattle Opens Saturday October 23rd and will run through January 30, 2011. Although this exhibit has toured in a handful of other North American cities, most recently Ontario, Canada, what makes this installation different is that for the first time there are some costumes and props from the not yet released 7th film, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. This film will open at the Pacifc Science Center’s IMAX theater on November 19th, giving fans the unique opportunity to see the film and view the exhibit at the same place..JPG)
As the tour starts, a couple of lucky volunteers have the opportunity to sit on a stool and find out which house they will be assigned by the Sorting Hat. From there you move into a large chamber with multiple screens playing scenes from all of the different Harry Potter films that definitely peaks excitement. After exiting this space, a porter in the mist beckons you from the Hogwarts Express into the self-guided portion of the exhibit. There is an audio commentary available that offers extra information about many of the items from the movie set designers perspectives and some interesting antedotes about the filming process. The creators of this exhibit collaborated closely with the movie producers and most of the items in the exhibit were the actual items used in the Harry Potter films. You enter through the portrait lobby and into the Common Room where amidst numerous items, including the Time Turner, various wands, new to the exhibit are Matthew Lewis’(Neville Longbottom’s) street clothes from the upcoming film. From the Common Room you move into the Dormitory where displays showcase Harry's glasses (the audio for this explains how Daniel Radcliff was allergic to the material used to make the original pair of these glasses), bunks, and clothing and personal items, like Ron’s Howler and the Marauder’s Map.. Next you pass through the "classrooms". The original glass jars containing various ingredients in Potions are to be seen as well as “Advanced Potion Making “, the book from ..”Half Blood Prince”.
There is an entire section devoted to Professor Lockhart and Professor Umbridge’s pink office is complete with kitty plates and the detention quill from Harry Potter and theOrer of the Phoenix. The final classroom is Professor Sprout’s Greenhouse where you actually get to "pull up" on a Mandrake which screech and wiggle back down into the pot. In the Quidditch section of the exhibit two of the brooms used on the set - Draco Malfoy's and Harry's Nimbus 2000. The audio explains how the brooms had to be made out of aircraft grade materials in order to withstand the actors and elements from the special effects used. There are also all the various game balls and many of the players’ Quidditch outfits. At the end of this section there is an opportunity to throw actual quaffle’s through the goals.
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From here you travel on to Hagrid's Hut which is so complete with furniture, Hagrid’s immense clothes and personal items, that it feels like you are actually there. On to the Forbidden Forest ,where you can see Centaurs, Baby Thestral, Acromantula and the Hungarian Horntail Dragon. In the Dark Forces section, the lighting gets eerie and you find yourself face to face with the Angel of Death Statue, among Dementors, the Death eaters costumes and new from the “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows”, Bellatrix’s dress, wand and daggar. Also new to the exhibit are Bethilda Bagshot’s “History of Magic” book and Harry’s Decoy
All good things must come to an end, and this tour ends with a party. Ball gowns, dress robes and all the extravagant trimmings from the Yule Ball conclude your tour.
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This exhibit is a must for fans of the Harry Potter Films and Books. Be warned, however that the collection is so robust and detailed that one viewing may not be enough- Jennifer Stewart
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