Las Vegas Weekly

July 15, 2009 · 1 PM

Not that Riddikulus: Harry Potter fans play the part on opening night

By Deanna Rilling

Tim Arthur, Jason Carter and Cory Ford attended the midnight showing of Harry Potter as Harry, Dobby and Malfoy.

Photo: Deanna Rilling

Two young wizards sat on a bench devouring a quick snack Tuesday night. Nearby, Dobby hobbled along clinging to Harry Potter’s robes while Malfoy brooded. Professor Trelawney, Dumbledore and Bellatrix Lestrange were also spotted.

It’s not something from the opening scene of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, but the setting outside Rave Theatres at Town Square for Tuesday night’s midnight showing of the series’ sixth installment.

Mere store-bought costumes are unacceptable for this bunch. Samantha Smith and Jared Lee, both 15, arrived as Bellatrix Lestrange and a Death Eater.

Photo: Deanna Rilling

Rebecca Smith and her daughter, Samantha, have Jared Lee as a Death Eater lurking over their shoulders.

“I always dress up for the movies,” said Smith, who constructed her outfit from old dance clothes and pantyhose. She even convinced her mother, Rebecca, to don a wizard robe for the evening.

Clothed in barely more than an old pillowcase and elfish ears, 19-year-old Jason Carter attended the midnight screening with his friends Tim Arthur as Harry and Cory Ford as Malfoy (both also 19).

Ashley (17) and Nick Grove (14) were visiting Las Vegas from Arizona with their father, Brian, but refused to take “vacation” as an excuse for missing the film’s opening night.

Photo: Deanna Rilling

Ashley and Nick Grove in their homemade wizard duds.

“I made it out of felt and my dad’s old graduation robe,” said Ashley of her wizard costume, while brandishing a wand from an online store.

Teens weren’t the only ones getting in on the costume action. Movie-goers of all ages packed into multiple theaters Tuesday night wearing not only Harry Potter shirts, but elaborate outfits as well.

Photo: Deanna Rilling

Amanda Villeux, Leah Villalobos and Clarita Kendall show it's not just little kids who enjoy dressing up for Harry Potter films.

“We’re costumers and love Harry Potter,” said Leah Villalobos, 33, who bared a striking resemblance to Professor Trelawney, complete with crystal ball in tow. Her friends, Amanda Veilleux, 27, and Clarita Kendall, 38, also dressed up with even more zest and attention to detail than the children they had brought with them.

Photo: Deanna Rilling

Weston Monks as Dumbledore and Leah Villalobos as Sybill Trelawney.

But if there had been a contest for the most elaborate costume, it’d go to Weston Monks. The 18-year-old was head-to-toe Dumbledore, beard tied at just the right spot, hat perched just so atop a shock of white hair. And don’t forget the wand. “I’m a nerd,” Monks admitted. “I actually ordered a replica wand—it’s the same one you see in Sky Mall!”

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