Harry Potter and the Cursed Child drop live owls after one escaped in preview

The production now has PETA's approval

The first previews of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child are currently taking place in London to much acclaim from fans, many of whom praised the production on social media.

However, the first show was not without some difficulties: mid-way through the performance, an owl got loose backstage, leading to some amused audience members.

Not wanting to have the same experience once again, the live owls have been removed from the production, much to the approval of animal rights campaigners.

PETA Director Mimi Bekhechi said: “PETA commends the production team for coming to its senses and recognising that treating owls like props goes against every message of respect and kindness that JK Rowling's wonderful books taught us.

“Harry Potter can now join the ranks of innovative stage productions like War Horse, The Lion King and Running Wild, which prove that animals need not be exploited for the theatre – and that the possibilities of prop design are limited only by our own creativity.”

Tickets for Harry Potter and the Cursed Child have been selling on resale websites for upwards of £2,000 in recent weeks. The sell-out show runs until May 2017.