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Puffs the Play: or 7 Increasingly Eventful Years At A Certain School of Magic and Magic
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
June 27, 2023
Fun and full of heart! I read this over and over to memorize lines and still somehow never got tired of it
December 2, 2019
This was an unexpectedly good play that I borrowed from Evie. I think that it really represents Hufflepuffs well. They really aren't everyone's favorite. They're nice, and that's just about it. But, they take advantage of that. That's what I loved.
P.S. I am a Hufflepuff too.
P.S. I am a Hufflepuff too.
February 17, 2022
REVIEW: Puffs, the Play: or 7 Increasingly Eventful Years At A Certain School of Magic and Magic, Matt Cox
RATING: 4/5 stars
Guess who got roped into doing another theatre production? It's me. Anyway, I read the script for this last night because I'm helping with callbacks and need to somewhat understand the characters in order to properly give feedback on casting decisions. Since I never read all seven of the books by you-know-who (much to my CT's chagrin), I doubt that I picked up on every single reference made throughout the entire play book. However, I think that this is a super fun read - or watch, depending on your desired format - that even non-fans can appreciate. It's a cute story about self-discovery, where even perceived airheads prove to have more loyalty and worth than even they themselves expect. There's also a considerable amount of death for a play that would be assumedly fluffy otherwise. Cedric is the obvious one considering the Puff focus, but the amount of major characters that die in the infamous battle at the end is impressive for even a play of this genre and style. I'm really excited to put this on with the high school kids, and I think y'all will really enjoy it if you come to watch.
RATING: 4/5 stars
Guess who got roped into doing another theatre production? It's me. Anyway, I read the script for this last night because I'm helping with callbacks and need to somewhat understand the characters in order to properly give feedback on casting decisions. Since I never read all seven of the books by you-know-who (much to my CT's chagrin), I doubt that I picked up on every single reference made throughout the entire play book. However, I think that this is a super fun read - or watch, depending on your desired format - that even non-fans can appreciate. It's a cute story about self-discovery, where even perceived airheads prove to have more loyalty and worth than even they themselves expect. There's also a considerable amount of death for a play that would be assumedly fluffy otherwise. Cedric is the obvious one considering the Puff focus, but the amount of major characters that die in the infamous battle at the end is impressive for even a play of this genre and style. I'm really excited to put this on with the high school kids, and I think y'all will really enjoy it if you come to watch.
November 16, 2022
Read this to prepare to assistant direct it at Anderson. It's fun. The students told me that it's got a lot of "millennial humor." I think that's true, but it's not Don-Zolidis-level dumb. Dry line delivery I think would make a lot of the humor land better IMO.
My only concern is this play takes for granted that the audience is full of Potterheads. The whole thing is an inside joke, and I worry that parents and grandparents (or, hell, younger zoomers) in the audience will be totally lost. We'll see!
My only concern is this play takes for granted that the audience is full of Potterheads. The whole thing is an inside joke, and I worry that parents and grandparents (or, hell, younger zoomers) in the audience will be totally lost. We'll see!
January 28, 2026
Such a hilarious play!! I was also very pleased to do the props for this show as I am a huge Harry Potter fan.
March 18, 2023
As a fellow side character, I feel for you, Wayne.
February 11, 2024
Eh. It was funny at times, with a similar style/vibe to Mischief Comedy/Goes Wrong and Starkid. It really did have moments that were funny but they were overplayed, oversaturated with nonsense, "over-acted," and absolutely ridiculous (I watched the video on BroadwayHD and skimmed the script). I guess that's a problem more with the execution than the play itself, but it was (I think) the original production. Also, there really wasn't any plot, meaning, or anything. I didn't care about the characters. I don't know what the point is besides to be a Harry Potter parody. Genuinely, I don't think there was a plot unless you count Megan's mama trauma and figuring that out, which wasn't really a plot. All gimmick (a funny gimmick, at least) and no substance. If you want a stage Harry Potter parody watch Starkid. Good idea, truly mid execution.
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January 24, 2026I'm going to give myself an incomplete on this one for not doing my homework. Since I'm completely Harry Potter ignorant, my assignment was to read the seven Harry Potter books this morning before my 2 o'clock matinee. I didn't read a single one. In a theater full of laughing Potterheads, I was the only puzzled one asking, WTF?!
December 15, 2020
“Puffs the Play: or 7 Increasingly Eventful Years At A Certain School of Magic and Magic”
by Matt Cox
Publisher : Independently published (December 10, 2018)
Paperback : 132 pages
I'm still reading a bunch of plays for “reasons.” But this play I'm reading for another reason. That reason is; a couple of years ago our local college/community theatre performed this play. I wanted to be in the play but I was just simply too old to be in the cast. The play doesn't require the young to play the parts, but in order to be consistent it is good for the director to keep the cast within the same age range. They are all playing kids from ages 10-18 years old. So I didn't pass the audition. I wonder if it was because I wouldn't shave my Van Dyke beard. My son got a part in the show, so I was happy and went to all 4 performances.
So this play is what happened to the other kids at that famous school for wizards and magic. The Puffs. The student's who were going for third place or nothing (out of 4) Basically this was like the “Breakfast Club” but nerdier, more pitiful at times, and waaaaayyyyy funnier. The one thing I completely enjoyed about this play is the allowance for or rather demand for improv moments. I love Improv and love watching it done right. The actor I saw play the character of Zach Smith was so funny. Each performance he had a different improv for his big improv moment. One of the nights he managed to sum up the last 2 years worth of performances at the college/community theatre into one story that just had me rolling.
If you are a fan of those Harry Potter books, please do yourself a favor and either read this script or go find a performance of this play. The inside jokes are worth the price of admission alone. Matt Cox is a fan of the wizarding series and especially a fan of the 90s. This comes to fruition in this play that is chock full of fun, pop-culture references that is sure to keep any audience entertained. The copy I read and the one I saw performed had some language that may restrict where the play is performed, however, I understand Matt Cox has written a younger version of the play in order to make it safe for all ages.
Matt Cox not only has written a funny pop-culture play, but he creates characters that drag you into the story more so than J.K. Rowling. When reading the original books, there were times I would just say these kids are stupid. But in Matt Cox's play I was involved. I wanted to know what they were doing at all times, especially the 3 main characters; Oliver, Megan, and Wayne. In fact throughout the play there were times when I had tears in my eyes from laughter and I was thankful because a scene or 2 later there would be tears from sadness and I didn't want to seem like a crybaby.
My experience after watching 4 performances and now reading this play is one I will cherish. I was moved several times between laughing out loud to drying the tears from sadness. After talking with the cast of this show (besides my son, there were many in the cast I am friends with) I found the same happened to them, in fact to this day the cast cherish their time in “Puffs.” The only other time I have seen such bonding in a play was a 2 week run of “Godspell.” The cast became the closest of friends from there after same as with “Puffs.” So,yeah, “Puffs” has a bit of a religious experience to it.
Thank you, Matt Cox for such a great emotional rollercoaster!!!
by Matt Cox
Publisher : Independently published (December 10, 2018)
Paperback : 132 pages
I'm still reading a bunch of plays for “reasons.” But this play I'm reading for another reason. That reason is; a couple of years ago our local college/community theatre performed this play. I wanted to be in the play but I was just simply too old to be in the cast. The play doesn't require the young to play the parts, but in order to be consistent it is good for the director to keep the cast within the same age range. They are all playing kids from ages 10-18 years old. So I didn't pass the audition. I wonder if it was because I wouldn't shave my Van Dyke beard. My son got a part in the show, so I was happy and went to all 4 performances.
So this play is what happened to the other kids at that famous school for wizards and magic. The Puffs. The student's who were going for third place or nothing (out of 4) Basically this was like the “Breakfast Club” but nerdier, more pitiful at times, and waaaaayyyyy funnier. The one thing I completely enjoyed about this play is the allowance for or rather demand for improv moments. I love Improv and love watching it done right. The actor I saw play the character of Zach Smith was so funny. Each performance he had a different improv for his big improv moment. One of the nights he managed to sum up the last 2 years worth of performances at the college/community theatre into one story that just had me rolling.
If you are a fan of those Harry Potter books, please do yourself a favor and either read this script or go find a performance of this play. The inside jokes are worth the price of admission alone. Matt Cox is a fan of the wizarding series and especially a fan of the 90s. This comes to fruition in this play that is chock full of fun, pop-culture references that is sure to keep any audience entertained. The copy I read and the one I saw performed had some language that may restrict where the play is performed, however, I understand Matt Cox has written a younger version of the play in order to make it safe for all ages.
Matt Cox not only has written a funny pop-culture play, but he creates characters that drag you into the story more so than J.K. Rowling. When reading the original books, there were times I would just say these kids are stupid. But in Matt Cox's play I was involved. I wanted to know what they were doing at all times, especially the 3 main characters; Oliver, Megan, and Wayne. In fact throughout the play there were times when I had tears in my eyes from laughter and I was thankful because a scene or 2 later there would be tears from sadness and I didn't want to seem like a crybaby.
My experience after watching 4 performances and now reading this play is one I will cherish. I was moved several times between laughing out loud to drying the tears from sadness. After talking with the cast of this show (besides my son, there were many in the cast I am friends with) I found the same happened to them, in fact to this day the cast cherish their time in “Puffs.” The only other time I have seen such bonding in a play was a 2 week run of “Godspell.” The cast became the closest of friends from there after same as with “Puffs.” So,yeah, “Puffs” has a bit of a religious experience to it.
Thank you, Matt Cox for such a great emotional rollercoaster!!!
June 23, 2023
This play is incredibly fun and surprisingly heartfelt. The humor works really well, though I wonder how it would play to someone who isn't very familiar with the Harry Potter books and films. I hope to take on the challenge of directing this play next year.
November 20, 2023
I was in this play at my high school! This play is so full of laughs! Enjoyable even for people who don’t know anything about Harry Potter- like me tbh haha. Super fun! + all the notes in the script are an extra bonus to read :D
April 23, 2020
A hilarious play that tells a great story from a lesser known house.
August 30, 2020
The best play I have read this year! I found it amazing and unexpected. I want to avoid spoiling anything, so I shall be shushed. Mum’s the word.
February 23, 2022
Great play, hilarious spoof of our favorite scar-headed wizard's yellow friends. Fully intend to direct this in the future.
July 17, 2022
Solid. Performing this in a month!!! Woooooooo
August 17, 2022
reading for work is fun!!
April 4, 2023
fall show- i’m excited for it! i was apprehensive but it looks like some seriously funny bits and a lot of goofy times
November 13, 2023
hehe ily puffs
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December 22, 2023Read this funny and quirky script as we put on our own production of Puffs. Wholly enjoyed the experience.
July 16, 2024
We performed this, was super fun!
September 16, 2024
she’s funny
December 10, 2024
It was one of the first plays I've ever seen, and it was fantastic. It's delightfully funny and has the perfect amount of heart. Highly recommend.
December 12, 2024
Much funnier in writing than it is in real life, I fear.
January 20, 2025
This play is a fever dream and I can’t wait to stage manage it in April
June 26, 2025
Cute play, but nothing special. I will give it credit that it is hilarious
July 28, 2025
Mid as hell
March 20, 2024
I WILL NEVER FORGET YOU PUFFS !!!
I played Megan in my community theatre production of puffs and I have never enjoyed being in a show more than I have this one. I made so many friends and even a year later, I am still incredibly close to each and every one of them.
if you are a community theatre or school director, I will forever recommend and request that you put on this show. it is hilarious, touching, and so so fun and nostalgic for harry potter fans.
I played Megan in my community theatre production of puffs and I have never enjoyed being in a show more than I have this one. I made so many friends and even a year later, I am still incredibly close to each and every one of them.
if you are a community theatre or school director, I will forever recommend and request that you put on this show. it is hilarious, touching, and so so fun and nostalgic for harry potter fans.
April 4, 2022
As the lead role (Wayne Hopkins) in my High school production of Puffs this is one of my favorite Harry Potter related books.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews