The Fame Reporter interviewed Fever’s Originals Manager, Phil Mallet, currently working on Harry Potter: A Forbidden Forest Experience, now open until September.
‘A nighttime woodland trail filled with magical creatures and wizarding wonders from the Harry Potter™ and Fantastic Beasts™ films. Set in beautiful woodland, this experience has been brought to life by award-winning theatrical designers and experiential creators. Find your nearest city and enjoy Harry Potter: A Forbidden Forest Experience now!’
We had the thrilling chance to talk with Phil and talk about the inspiration behind the experience, how close to the event is to the films, why Brisbane Potterheads will love it and more.
What inspired you to bring Harry Potter: A Forbidden Forest Experience to Brisbane, and why Sirromet?
We’ve seen an incredible appetite for Fever events in Brisbane, with past experiences performing really well and drawing strong interest from local audiences. That demand made it clear that there’s a real hunger for unique, immersive events here, so bringing Harry Potter: A Forbidden Forest Experience felt like a natural next step.
Sirromet, with its stunning natural landscape and atmosphere, offered the perfect backdrop to bring the magic of the Forbidden Forest to life.
How does the Brisbane location differ from other international versions of the experience and are there any exclusive or Australia-specific elements added to this version?
For Brisbane’s Harry Potter: A Forbidden Forest Experience, we’ve introduced new and never-before-seen elements for fans. There is a chronologically coordinated trail with characters and scenes appearing in the same order as they do in the Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts series.
New character additions have also made their debut and include Harry Potter, Draco Malfoy, and the beloved ‘Fang’.
What were some of the biggest logistical or creative challenges in recreating the Forbidden Forest in this unique winery setting?
There’s so much magical material to work with when creating an experience from a beloved world like this so the most difficult challenge is deciding what not to include!
We’re so excited for Brisbane to journey through the story and explore the familiar Forbidden Forest in the awe-inspiring woodland setting of Sirromet Winery.
How did you bring the magical creatures and iconic forest moments to life using light, sound, and atmosphere?
Brought to life by award-winning theatrical designers and experiential creators, mesmerising lights set the scene and transform the landscape into a magical outdoor trail featuring fan favourite moments from the Forbidden Forest.
Visitors can encounter mystical creatures such as Hippogriffs, unicorns, and Nifflers, and practice casting their very own spells. To add to the atmosphere, visitors will also find a themed village at the end of the trail where they can enjoy delicious food and drink as if they were in Hogsmeade itself!
What’s your favourite part of the experience—whether it’s a creature, a moment, or a particular effect?
One of the great highlights of the trail has to be casting your own spell! For any fans, it’s a fun way to immerse yourself in the magic and conjure a Patronus.
How closely did you collaborate with the Wizarding World franchise or Warner Bros. to stay true to the source material?
We collaborated with Warner Bros. Discovery Global Experiences, who created the outdoor trail in partnership with award-winning theatrical designers Thinkwell and Unify. Their deep connection to the world of Harry Potter ensured every element stayed true to the source material, and we were proud to support them in bringing this immersive experience to life for fans.
Can you talk about the sustainability or environmental considerations when designing an immersive outdoor event like this?
We have measures in place to minimise the risk to the surrounding environment, made in collaboration with ecological consultants who have undertaken an ecological assessment of the trails at Sirromet Winery.
The vast majority of the overall woodland will remain completely untouched by the experience.
Why do you think Brisbane will love this experience?
Brisbane will love this unforgettable experience. For everyone from families to fans, or even those who have yet to see the movies, the Forbidden Forest experience is spellbinding.
Local demand has been huge, so we’ve just extended the dates to the 7th September. Don’t miss out on the chance to grab tickets from hpforbiddenforestexperience.com.
Rapid Fire Questions – Word Play
Hogsmeade or Diagon Alley
Diagon Alley, but Hogsmeade is a close second. Tough question.
Butterbeer or Pumpkin Juice
Butterbeer always!
Patronus: stag or something more surprising
The stag is a classic, how can you not pick it?
Which creature would you *not* want to bump into alone in the forest?
Definitely would not want to bump into any of the Dementors… too scary.
Would you rather duel a Death Eater or outwit a Blast-Ended Skrewt?
Surely the Blast-Ended Skrewt would be easier to run from?
Thank-you for joining us at The Fame Reporter and we wish you all the best for Harry Potter: A Forbidden Forest Experience.
TICKETS
On until September
Sirromet Winery, Brisbane
All photos and videos – Supplied
The Fame Reporter 