Harry Potter(TM): The Exhibition Casts a Spell on the Ontario Science Centre

Harry Potter Film Stars James and Oliver Phelps Kick Off Exhibition Opening at Exclusive Canadian Venue

Tickets On Sale Now at www.OntarioScienceCentre.ca

TORONTO, April 8 /CNW/ - To celebrate the opening of Harry Potter: The Exhibition at its exclusive Canadian venue, the Ontario Science Centre, Harry Potter film stars James and Oliver Phelps, who play Fred and George Weasley in the film series, brought their magical charm and humor to today's opening event. The exhibition offers fans a first-hand look inside the famous wizard's magical world, giving guests the opportunity to experience the amazing craftsmanship of hundreds of authentic props and costumes from the Harry Potter films. The exhibition will be on view until Sunday, August 22, 2010.

"The Science Centre seeks out temporary exhibitions that will appeal to our traditional audience and attract new visitors who may never have visited a science centre," said Lesley Lewis, CEO, Ontario Science Centre. "Harry Potter: The Exhibition holds just such crossover appeal. Our visitors will be inspired by the creativity, technology and attention to detail behind the artifacts and themed settings in this wonderful exhibition."

In a 1,300 square metre exhibit space, Harry Potter: The Exhibition features authentic film artifacts displayed in immersive settings inspired by the film sets - including the Great Hall, Hagrid's hut and the Gryffindor(TM) common room. Visitors will also be able to try their hand at some of the activities experienced by students at Hogwarts(TM) such as pulling a screaming mandrake from its pot or tossing a Quaffle through a Quidditch(TM) goalpost.

"We are truly excited to unveil the exhibition and its incredible offerings to so many loyal Canadian fans," said Karen McTier, Executive Vice President, Domestic Licensing and Worldwide Marketing, Warner Bros. Consumer Products. "The magical and immersive settings bring the films to life and the Ontario Science Centre is the perfect location for the exhibition's debut outside the U.S."

"The exhibition has enjoyed great success at the first two venues in the United States, and we couldn't be more thrilled to bring this one-of-a-kind experience to Toronto," said Eddie Newquist, Executive Vice President and Chief Creative Officer, Global Experience Specialists, Inc. (GES). "We have some wonderful surprises in store for guests at the Ontario Science Centre, and we look forward to seeing all the Harry Potter fans in Canada."

    
    About the Exhibition
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As visitors tour the exhibition, they will be taken on a journey into the world of Harry Potter through several themed vignettes based on iconic Hogwarts settings, and come face-to-face with some of their favourite props and costumes, all of which were hand-picked by GES, Warner Bros. Consumer Products and the filmmakers themselves.

Some of the key artifacts on display include Professor Snape's robes; Professor Trelawney's crystal ball and exotic wardrobe; costumes and props from Professors Lupin(TM), Lockhart(TM) and Umbridge(TM); props and artifacts from the Yule Ball, including costumes from notable characters such as Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, Hermione Granger and Professor Dumbledore(TM); and life-size centaurs, a caged dragon, Buckbeak(TM) the Hippogriff and a giant Acromantula spider.

Harry Potter: The Exhibition was created by GES in partnership with Warner Bros. Consumer Products. After its run at the Ontario Science Centre, the exhibition will be displayed in other major cultural and entertainment venues, museums and institutions worldwide.

    
    Hours and Ticket Information
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The exhibition is a timed entry experience and will be open for visitors during the Science Centre's extended regular hours: from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily up to June 25, and from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily from June 26 to August 22, 2010. On opening day, Friday, April 9, and Saturday, April 10, the exhibition will be open until midnight. Tickets are now available online at www.OntarioScienceCentre.ca, by calling 416-696-1000, or by visiting the box office.

Admission to Harry Potter: The Exhibition, which includes general admission to the Science Centre's exhibition halls, is $27.50 for adults; $23.50 for seniors and youth (ages 65+ and 13-17); $20.00 for children (ages 4-12). For Ontario Science Centre members, admission is $14 for adults; $12 for seniors and youth; and $10 for children.

    
    About the Ontario Science Centre
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The Ontario Science Centre opened on September 26, 1969, a global pioneer of the concept of an interactive science museum. Since then, well over 44 million visitors have passed through its doors. It is a model for over 2,000 science centres around the world, built since its inception.

The Ontario Science Centre uses science as the lens to inspire and actively engage people in new ways of seeing, understanding and thinking about themselves and the world around them. The Ontario Science Centre is an agency of the Government of Ontario. For more information, visit www.ontariosciencecentre.ca or call our box office at 416-696-1000.

The Ontario Science Centre would like to thank Tourism Toronto for its support of our out-of-town tourism marketing program.

    
    About GES
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Las Vegas-based Global Experience Specialists, Inc. (GES), a Viad Corp (NYSE: VVI) company, is a leading provider of exhibition, event and retail marketing services. Given its recent consolidation with Exhibitgroup/Giltspur and Becker Group, GES provides an even wider range of services, including turn-key official show services, cutting-edge creative and design, marketing and measurement services - all with an unrivaled global reach. GES partners with leading shows and brands, including the International CES, Spring Fair Birmingham, International Woodworking Fair, CONEXPO-CON/AGG and IFPE, Bell Helicopter, Genzyme, L'Oreal, Warner Bros., and Simon Property Group. For more information, visit www.ges.com.

    
    About Warner Bros. Consumer Products
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Warner Bros. Consumer Products, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company, is one of the leading licensing and retail merchandising organizations in the world.

/NOTE TO PHOTO EDITORS: A photo accompanying this release is available at http://photos.newswire.ca. Images are free to accredited members of the media/

For further information: Anna Relyea, Associate Director, Strategic Communications, Ontario Science Centre, [phone], [email protected]; Christine Crosbie, Media Relations Officer, Ontario Science Centre, [phone], [email protected]; Ellen Flowers, Media Relations Officer, Ontario Science Centre, [phone], [email protected]; Rita Cooper, Director, Worldwide Public Relations, Warner Bros. Consumer Products, [phone], [email protected]