Harry Potter And The Cursed Child: 7 Most Compelling Theories

After flirting with the idea of releasing more Harry Potter stories almost imperceptibly, JK Rowling has finally given fans exactly what they've hoped for since the final full-stop of the final chapter of the final book. Her characters will return - in some capacity - though not on the page for a new stage-play in 2016 written by Let The Right One In adapter Jack Thorne. The big question at this stage is who the titular Cursed Child actually is. Given the initial announcement (and "official" synopsis) of the play way back in December 2013, the suggestion was that it was always intended to merely be a retelling of Harry's early years from a different perspective:

What was it like to be the boy in the cupboard under the stairs? This brand new play, which will be developed for the UK theatre, will explore the previously untold story of Harry's early years as an orphan and outcast. Featuring some of our favourite characters from the Harry Potter books, this new work will offer a unique insight into the heart and mind of the now legendary young wizard. A seemingly ordinary boy, but one for whom Destiny has plans...

But since then Rowling has been quick to pour water on the rumours that it will be a prequel (which some fans have read that synopsis to imply), and there is some suggestion that the premise has now changed. And of course there's the small issue with the title. How could Harry be the Cursed Child, when he's already in the title? Wouldn't that make it Harry Potter & Himself? No matter how you choose to read it, there are questions - and thus some potential theories to address them - that need to be answered before the curtains open next year...