HISTORIC Christ Church in Claremont will soon undergo a transformation to usher in a very different congregation.
The venue will host immersive theatre event Wizards Fantastic Feast next month, converting into a Hogwarts-style Great Hall and welcoming fans of wizardry, magic and fantasy.
The director of special effects team Edgyx, Stephen Doran – who also brought us Santa’s Enchanted Wardrobe last year– said the Anglican church lent itself almost perfectly to the experience.
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READ NOW“It’s amazing how much like Hogwarts the church looks – even the lectern that the priest uses is a big eagle,” he said.
“We’re able to create a full floating candle ceiling in there, right across the church. We’re not just putting a few candles up here and there to tick the box.
“It really is pretty close to what you would see in the movie.”
Doran of Wembley Downs said the world-class set included special effects such as holographics, pyrotechnics and animatronics.
“We have created our own wizarding world, very much inspired by Harry Potter, with our own storyline and characters (four actors) who are professors,” he said.
“If you’re a fan of the fantasy realm come along – you don’t have to know everything about Harry Potter to really love this.
“The whole idea is to really suspend reality, so we’re emphasising that this an event for people who are into the fantasy genre.”
The event also includes a three-course banquet as well as classes for guests to take part in, such as making magical elixirs.
As guests are students of the academy, they’re encouraged to wear gowns.
All shows are adult only, except the June 30 family matinee (children aged seven and over).
THE ESSENTIALS
What: Wizards Fantastic Feast
Where: Christ Church, Claremont
When: June 15-16, 22-23, 29-30
Tickets: premier.ticketek.com.au