PUFFS; Or Seven Increasingly Eventful Years In A Certain School Of Magic & Magic

Sometimes we all feel like a side character in someone else’s epic story... 

While Harry Potter And The Cursed Child is comfortably parked in Melbourne, a less legitimate theatrical spin-off from the wizarding universe has been winning over audiences and critics alike, and now Sydney has the opportunity to see what all the fuss is about.

PUFFS; Or Seven Increasingly Eventful Years In A Certain School Of Magic & Magic is an Off-Broadway comedy hit, and the Australian production last year was the longest-running play to hit Melbourne. 

This is the story of three ambling potential heroes who happen to attend a certain wizard school at the same time as a certain boy wizard. This is not the story of Harry Potter, this is the story of well-meaning dorks trying to survive the most dangerous school and ruthless headmaster in the world. 

PUFFS is an earnest, dorky, clever, fast-paced laugh riot. It is packed with enough nods and winks to the Potter franchise to satisfy the most hardcore fans, and is more than entertaining enough to hold the attention of more casual spectators who maybe just saw the movies. Part parody and part homage, PUFFS lovingly skewers the plot holes and more problematic elements of the Potter universe all while skirting the edges of a pesky copyright lawsuit with adorable off-brand vernacular. 

The cast of up-and-comers all hold their own in their production. Ryan Hawke is a surprisingly convincing ambling adolescent as lead character Wayne, flanked by Adam Marks and Angelina Thomson as Wayne’s best friends Oliver and Megan. James Bryers cuts a fine Cedric, and Annabelle Tudor and Matt Whitty are standouts among the rotating roles and genderfluid casting.

The experience of heading to the custom-built pop-up tent at the Entertainment Quarter and having a drink in the Wizard Bar is half the fun of going to this show, even for less knowledgeable muggles. 

PUFFS is definitive proof that the Potter world belongs to the people now. JK Rowling can drop as many post-mortem queer-baiting character tidbits as she likes, and the Fantastic Beasts franchise can continue to ruffle some feathers, but PUFFS is the real fodder for Potterheads. It is the theatrical equivalent of that viral Potter Puppet Pals YouTube video (The Mysterious Ticking Noise is peak 2007). 

PUFFS is more than a wink to every Potter fanatic that is still secretly waiting for an owl to barrel through the window with their Hogwarts letter. It is a heartwarming ode to anyone who has ever felt struck by the feeling that they’re a bit ordinary.