Boris Johnson and The Making of Harry Potter

THE MAYOR OF LONDON, BORIS JOHNSON, REVEALS DIAGON ALLEY PRIOR TO OPENING OF THE STUDIO TOUR ON 31ST MARCH 2012

The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, steps into the magical world of the UK’s most anticipated visitor attraction Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter and unveils the inclusion of one of the most iconic and beloved of all sets - Diagon Alley.

The Diagon Alley set, which will take centre stage when the tour opens on 31st March 2012, was first featured in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone and features the shop fronts of Ollivanders wand shop, Flourish and Blotts, the Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes, Gringotts Wizarding Bank and Eeylops Owl Emporium where Harry Potter first met his beloved owl, Hedwig.

"Harry Potter has been captivating people across the world for the last eleven years.” says Boris Johnson, the Mayor of London. “Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter brings these spellbinding stories to life and offers a magical opportunity for fans to discover what goes into making a production on this scale. This attraction will be a fantastic boost for London tourism when the world comes to London in 2012.”

Production Designer, Stuart Craig, whose work on the Harry Potter film series has garnered him both Academy Award and six BAFTA nominations (winning the BAFTA Award for Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire) says, “Diagon Alley is (along with Dumbledore's office) my favourite set. It has a long history with many changes. It was first built for Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone and then part of it used for Hogsmeade High Street in Harry Potter and the Prizoner of Azkaban! Then it was taken down and later rebuilt for Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince with the inclusion of the Weasley Wizard Wheezes joke shop and then finally wrecked when Ollivanders wand shop was blown up. And so I am delighted that it has finally found a home in the Studio Tour for all to enjoy.”

Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter will open its doors for the very first time to visitors from 31st March 2012 with tickets now on sale. Visitors must pre-book their tickets in advance by selecting specific tour times throughout the day via www.wbstudiotour.co.uk or through approved tour operators. Tickets will not be on sale at the attraction and spaces are limited.

Due to phenomenal demand, opening hours for Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter have been extended to 18:00, from the previous booking time of 16:00, on every weekend, bank holiday and school holiday from 28th April.

In addition to Diagon Alley the attraction will contain some of the most iconic Harry Potter film series sets including the Great Hall, Dumbledore’s office, the Ministry of Magic, Harry Potter’s famous cupboard under the stairs, 4 Privet Drive, Gryffindor common room, the boys’ dormitory, the Potion’s classroom, Professor Umbridge’s office, the Weasley kitchen, the Hogwarts bridge and others still to be announced.

The unique walking tour attraction will offer visitors the very first opportunity to journey behind-the-scenes and experience the magic that has gone into creating the most successful film series of all time. Visitors will be able to see firsthand the sheer scale and detail of the actual sets, costumes, animatronics, special effects and props used in all eight of the Harry Potter films.

“It was such a magical place to grow up,” says Daniel Radcliffe. “People will be amazed to see the incredible sets that we’ve worked in all these years.”

Rupert Grint adds, “The sets all have tiny little details that you may not always notice in the films but when you actually walk through them, you can see all the work that's gone into it. It’s really amazing.”

“This is incredible, it’s been a long time coming and I’m very excited.” says Emma Watson.

Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter will open 31st March 2012 with timed tickets available from 13th October 2011. Tickets are priced at £28 for adults, £21 for children and £83 for a family of four. Tickets must be booked in advance via a dedicated website www.wbstudiotour.co.uk or through approved tour operators.

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