Film Concerts PH’s Staging Of ‘Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban’ Was Nothing Short of Magical – Review

One of the biggest charms about the original series of Harry Potter films has always been its unique set of musical scores.

The Sorcerer’s Stone came in with the whimsical nature of the iconic “Hedwig’s Theme” and the Goblet of Fire featured the memorable “Yule Ball” waltz, while The Deathly Hallows two-parter was soundtracked with the grueling “Obliviate” and “Statues” that perfectly captured both films’ darker tones. Yet despite the abundance of ingenuity that’s been integrated into the sonic DNA of each film, none quite compares to what the maestro John Williams was able to accomplish with The Prisoner of Azkaban.

True to its source material, Williams’ score for the movie perfectly captures the gradual evolution of the franchise from the lighter, playful aspects of the previous films into somber and more mature territories. Though there are still moments of whimsy spread throughout each of Williams’ compositions, others are undercut with ominous elements that heighten the stakes of the story, working as an effective means of sonic storytelling on its own. 

Adapting it into a live setting with the same level of intensity (and emotion) that the now 93-year-old composer was able to accomplish is no easy task to replicate, but fortunately, it was an duty that renowned conductor Gerard Salonga, the Filharmonika Orchestra, and the Philippine Madrigal Singers were able to accomplish with both finesse and seamless precision for Film Concerts PH’s live staging of The Prisoner of Azkaban in concert.

The Theatre of Solaire was (once again) transformed into a special world of its own for two special nights, transporting concert-goers and Harry Potter fans alike straight into the Wizarding World of Hogwarts and its nearby surroundings. But even prior to the show proper, the venue’s lobby was surrounded by the wizarding school’s banners, and installations that many attendees took photo opportunities with. 

As one was making their way inside, you could easily notice several audience members were clad head-to-toe in their respective Hogwarts robes as they proudly represented the four houses of Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin. Others took a more novel approach, with some dressing up as fan-favorite characters like Potions professor, Severus Snape, and even the beloved house-elf, Dobby. 

Though such sights were entertaining enough, it was the sonic environment in which those in attendance were able to immerse themselves fully within the world of Harry Potter. From the moment the cooing sound of “Lumos (Hedwig’s Theme)” began to reverberate across the theatre, something in the air shifted, allowing all of us to bask in the moment as if we were part of the film itself.

How Salonga and his orchestra were able to bring these moments to life through their lively and faithful interpretations of Williams’ compositions was nothing short of extraordinary. Though it may sound like a hyperbole of sorts, the experience of reliving the film with a live performance of its music drew an abundance of reactions from the audience. Moments such as Aunt Marge’s inflation and the chaotic ride of The Knight Bus elicited very vocal whoops, cheers, and laughter from the audience, while the chilly, goosebump-inducing arrival of the Dementors or Professor Lupin’s werewolf transformation sequence was met with bated breaths from the crowd.

The vocal performance of the Philippine Madrigal Singers gave justice to sections such as “Double Trouble” and to one of the film’s highlight scenes in “The Patronus Light,” adding to the show’s larger-than-life quality in adapting the film in concert. However, it wasn’t just through reactions wherein the show’s performers were able to make an impact with the experience, as this staging of the film further amplified the emotional intensity of each of its moments.

The numerous scenes wherein Harry (Daniel Radcliffe) was by his lonesome or in isolation felt even more empty and melancholic than ever before (“A Window To The Past“), allowing us to wallow in his sorrows, while the free-spirited euphoria of scenarios like “Buckbeak’s Flight” were properly given the jolt of adrenaline that was both joyful and exciting to experience, as if were there in the moment itself. It was almost as if viewing the film once more through this live experience had led me to recognize that certain motifs were representative of real-life themes and lessons to dissect, giving us a better understanding of the aural language in which the film emphasizes numerous points, such as Harry’s underlying depression and whatnot.

Though visiting the theme parks, exhibitions, or the film’s actual studio in the UK could easily give you a similar experience within Harry Potter’s wizarding world, this staging of the Prisoner of Azkaban was able to do all that and more — even leaving attendees with a newfound appreciation (and for some like myself, a reinterpretation) of the film.

To evoke such strong reactions, emotions, and interpretations from the audience is a skill that Williams had accomplished since the film’s initial release in 2004, but Salonga and his orchestra’s adaptation has opened that box once more with what they have successfully done for this live concert of the movie. 

As it stands, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban is arguably the best film in the entire franchise, so getting to relive the same joy, nostalgia, and breadth of emotions that I initially felt all those years ago with a staging such as this has enchanted me once more. Just by hearing John Williams’ lush yet varied set of compositions for this film, it has brought the magic of the franchise to life yet again. 

For experiences such as this not only give audiences a mere viewing of the film on the big screen once more, but they also leave a lasting impression on the crowd — one that casts the same spell that made so many of us fall in love with the Harry Potter series all those years ago.

Revisit John Williams’ score of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban below: