Harry Potter magic at play in Artists Workshop production of 'Puffs' | Theater review
"We're all wizards!"
"Puffs, or Seven Increasingly Eventful Years at a Certain School of Magic and Magic" by Matt Cox, is a charming play that explores the oft-overlooked world of the Puffs in the well-known series about a certain boy wizard.
I recently had the pleasure of sitting in on a preview performance of the Tallahassee premiere of this show, produced by The Artists Workshop. From the moment the lights dimmed, it was clear that the audience was in for a treat; the play was a delight, with its witty writing, clever staging, and pitch-perfect performances.
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The play follows the story of Wayne Hopkins, a lovable and somewhat bumbling Puff who, along with his friends, tries to navigate the perils of life at a well-known school of magic and magic.
One of the standout features of this production of Puffs is its clever and well-executed comedy. The play is filled with hilarious moments, from the exaggerated portrayals of well-known characters to the sharp one-liners that poke fun at this magical world. The actors each brought their own unique energy and humor to their roles.
Andrew Barclay was a standout as the lovable and bumbling Wayne, while Piper Greisl's portrayal of the nerdy but determined Megan was both funny and heartwarming. The chemistry between the cast was evident throughout the play, with each actor playing off the others in a natural and organic way. Ashley Littlefield and Jania Kadar are uproariously funny playing multiple characters and seamlessly transitioning between house elves, professors, students, and more.
Director Jimmy Kontos deserves praise for his skillful staging in "Puffs." Kontos takes full advantage of the space, using various levels and areas to keep the audience engaged and interested throughout the play's runtime. From the intricate staging of “Sports” matches to the creative use of lighting and sound effects, every element of the production comes together under Kontos' direction to create a truly immersive and memorable experience.
Part of the fun is looking for show secrets — like a certain initial sweater given by a parent as a present. While "Puffs" does assume that the audience is familiar with the Harry Potter books and/or movies, the production is both fun and lively for all, even if you don’t know much about that famous boy wizard. Curses will be lobbed at this magic school—so be warned, the performance does contain some instances of strong adult language and situations.
Overall, "Puffs" is a delight. It's a must-see for any Potterphiles out there. With its heartwarming story, fantastic cast, and sharp humor, "Puffs" is a theatrical experience that is not to be missed.
If you go
What: The Artists Workshop production of Puffs
When: 8 p.m. April 21-22 and April 28-29
Where: Hosted at Young Actors Theatre, 609 Glenview Drive.
Tickets: $15, are available on the Artists Workshop website at theartistsworkshop.org/tickets.
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Harry Potter magic at play in Artists Workshop production of 'Puffs'
