David Mirvish has joined Hoggart as one of four “Potterheads” in what he calls a “sort-of gift to the organization.”
Author and producer of hit live theatre and film adaptations of popular books, Mr. Mirvish says he’s “furious” that books are not honoured with halls of honor and museum exhibitions. And he’s never been a Hogwarts fan, either. But “I want to be a fan of Harry Potter,” he added.
Hoggart’s Wizard’s Lodge was modeled after Hogwarts.
A replica of the Gryffindor common room is at Hoggart.
Along with the rest of the four “Potterheads,” Mr. Mirvish will be signing books at two bookstores: the Chapters Barnes & Noble in Toronto and the Chapters Bayshore in Hamilton. If he’s asked a question on stage at either location, he’ll bring a stack of copies to give away, and is keeping the copies to which he’s given away.
A replica of the headmaster’s letter box will also be at Hoggart.
Designers celebrated their team’s efforts by lighting the building’s façade to look like the tower at Hogwarts.
The Harry Potter-themed opening party and exhibition was at Rouge (which isn’t currently operating) and was attended by Hoggart and Queer Eye star Antoni Porowski. Mr. Mirvish says there will be a special tour of the building for Queer Eye fans who show up on the night.
The Hoggart and Mirvish franchises are tied together because it’s the properties’ 20th anniversary. Mirvish will be in residence at the Hoggart Wing of the Centre for Performing Arts when “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child” opens this spring, and the tour will play there, too.