It’s
enthralling to get a close up look at numerous of the struts and enchanted
articles that were used in the film, the Warner Bros. Studio Tour
London located about 32 kilometres north-west of London is a must visit incredible
experience even for the spontaneous fan of the film sequence who would like to
learn more about how movies are made. For grave Harry Potter fans, there purely
cannot be a more dreamlike way to spend the day…
HARRY POTTER MANIA
Fortunately
for me I happened to fly from Delhi with Virgin Atlantic at a time when it is
celebrating 25 years of entertainment and for those who do not know Virgin is the
first airline to introduce inflight entertainment, hence this year they are
celebrating it with a season of film themed activity! In the build up to being
the official airline of the new ‘Harry Potter’ film aka Fantastic Beasts and
where to find them obviously there were some Harry potter films to watch and I
certainly made the most of it in my premium economy seat. I was equally charged
up and excited to be attending a red carpet premiere at the London Film
Festival of ‘Queen of Katwe’, a new Disney movie and attending the Festival’s
Gala ball. I have been to London several times before but never to the Harry
potter had studio…this time my mind was made…I simply to check it out!
THE STUDIO TOUR
Most
general way to reach the studio is by a taxi, but I would recommend taking the bus
transport with Warner Bros which needs to be booked in advance. On reaching of
course you will find a queue, because it wouldn’t be a Harry Potter attraction
without a line up (this being one of the world’s most famous film franchises
after all). Time spent in the entry queue passes very quickly as there is
plenty to look at counting the flying car from Chamber of Secrets which is
suspended from the ceiling and the ‘cupboard under the stairs’ where Harry was
at the Dursley’s in Philosopher’s Stone.
Then
came the fun part, once we had watched a quick film, we were led into a screening
area for another, longer film featuring the key cast members aka Harry, Ron and
Hermione as we all know them. This just builds your anticipation even
further and I felt like a little child all excited!! Soon thereafter, we were in
the Great Hall. Here I could see where they squeezed four hundred cast members
in to film the Great Hall scenes; I loved looking at the original costumes, and
even found out some fun trivia like the fact that they had to sew the
children’s pockets to avert them from niggling in sweets when filming scenes….cutely
adorable isn’t it?
Next,
I walked around a diversity of dissimilar interactive displays and information
in abundance. I don’t want to give too much away because you’ll be more excited
to discover it for yourself, but let me just say there is almost nothing you
won’t know about Harry Potter when you walk away from the experience.
Of
course you will see concoctions class, the Triwizard cup, the Philosopher’s
Stone, and lots more. The green screen rooms are great to experience,
where one can get a fun picture snapped on a broomstick or in the flying car.
Of course, you need to hand over some pounds to essentially walk away with the picture,
else if you could try casting a spell over the cashier attendant. Then, there’s
a well-deserved break in ‘The Back Lot’ where I stood at Privet Drive, saw the
Night Bus, and the Hogwarts Bridge. Here I also found a large cafe and an
opportunity to sit down with my Butter beer (one of only two places in the
world where it can be purchased).
THE HOGWARTS MODEL
Refreshed
I continued my exploration of round two. The rest of the tour features more of
the sets and costumes.
THE SHOPPING IS AN EXPERIENCE TOO
I
was at the Studio Shop located in the lobby as I exited. Every conceivable
Harry Potter souvenir was available in the shop including sweet treats like Chocolate
Frogs and Bernie Bott’s Every Flavour Beans, replica wands, robes, glasses,
souvenir t-shirts and lots more. An interactive green screen experience in
the shop also allowed me the opportunity to appear on pages of The Quibbler and
the Daily Prophet or as a suspect on an Azkaban Prison wanted poster.
As for me I was all ready to buy all the Gryffindor goodies my pounds could buy
and live out of my fantasy of receiving a letter of acceptance by the owl.
FAST FACTS
Best way to Reach: Fly Virgin Atlantic premium economy which can give
any Business class a run for its money with world class amenities and service
at affordable rates and terrific timings and yes a great baggage allowance.
Log on to www.virginatlantic.com/in/en
Best Place to stay: Sheltered by an eight storey vertical garden, The
Athenaeum is a family owned luxury hotel in an art deco building is a few
minutes’ walk from Buckingham Palace and bang opposite Green Park.
published in Statesman
