'If you're not seen and not heard, that's where the dangerous stuff happens. That's where people under the radar do very cruel things.'
Hermione Granger is a woman who takes no crap and knows her own mind, so it only follows that her Broadway actress Noma Dumezweni has some strong opinions too. When asked at the Tony awards if Donald Trump should see Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, she made it very clear that the American president wasn’t welcome in her theatre.
Noma was on the red carpet and was asked by Variety, ‘Should the president see Harry Potter and the Cursed Child?’
Her entire mood shifted and she stated firmly, ‘No.’
Even the interviewer seemed taken aback at how strongly she felt about it, as she began to walk off. However, Noma returned to the microphone for a brief second.
‘No. Anybody else, yes,’ she doubled down.
Noma has been playing Hermione for years now, as she was the original Hermione in the London production and sparked a heated conversation about race in the magical series. She reprised the role of Hermione Granger for the Broadway leg, which is currently playing in New York.
Beyond her strong stance on the Trump administration, she's also been a powerful voice for humanitarian aid as a refugee child who found sanctuary in the United Kingdom during apartheid. After winning an Olivier Award for her portrayal of Hermione, she gave a moving speech about her experience.
Prior to being asked about Donald Trump, Noma waxed lyrical about the political undertones to Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, which was nominated for ten Tony awards. She drew comparisons between the current state of American politics, Voldemort and Donald Trump’s America and said that was one of the reasons why the show was doing so well in the United States after moving over from London.
She said, ‘I really do believe that’s why [the play is] resonating at the moment...We, all as human beings, are fighting to be connected. If you’re not seen and not heard, that’s where the dangerous stuff happens. That’s where people under the radar do very cruel things.’
The play, which is set nearly two decades after Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, is a two part magical extravaganza that follows Harry (now a Ministry of Magic employee) and his son Albus Severus Potter as dark wizardry raises its head once again. The play won six Tony Awards last night, including for best play, best direction as well as best scene design, costume design and lighting design for a play.
Noma is far from the only performer who had little love for Donald Trump, as Robert de Niro had to have his speech bleeped after saying 'fuck Trump' multiple times onstage.
Noma said, ‘[This play is] about bringing things into the light. Letting your light shine. This is what J.K. has always been about. Let the darkness out into the light. That’s why I’m very proud to be here, telling this story right now. Those things are very important.’
We bet Hermione would 100% back that.
