For months, the phrase “Muse Flash” has been a conspicuous feature around London, signalling the significant investment and anticipation surrounding the new musical adaptation of Disney’s Hercules. The production, opening at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane in June 2025, has already seen previews sell out months in advance, prompting an extended run until March 2026, underscoring its commercial promise. While its financial success looks assured, whether it will rival the colossal hits of The Lion King or even the recently closed Frozen remains to be seen.

Disney’s Hercules offers a unique blend of emotional storytelling, memorable songs, and a modern, comedic take on ancient Greek mythology. The original 1997 animated film, noted for its energetic tunes by Alan Menken and quirky characterisations — such as James Woods’s mischievous Hades and Danny DeVito’s gruff mentor Philoctetes — has developed a cult following over the years despite not being an immediate box office juggernaut. The stage adaptation aims to build on this foundation while expanding the narrative and exploring characters more deeply, particularly the women. Mae Ann Jorolan’s portrayal of Meg, for instance, is enriched by new scenes and songs penned by Menken, adding layers to the character’s famously skeptical and resilient persona.

At the heart of the production is Luke Brady as Hercules, who embodies the demanding role with both physical presence and vocal prowess. The creative team, led by American director and choreographer Casey Nicholaw, notably eschewed traditional theatrical tricks like actor replacements or technical transformations to showcase Hercules’s physical evolution, instead casting an actor who could convincingly portray the character’s growth from the outset. Brady’s prior experience in musical adaptations of animated tales, like DreamWorks’ Prince of Egypt, positioned him as an ideal fit. Trevor Dion Nicholas plays Philoctetes, bringing a seasoned perspective on the role’s physical demands, likening the experience to running a marathon.

The production also places a strong emphasis on the Muses, who function as narrators and infuse the show with soulful gospel and Motown influences across songs such as “A Star is Born” and “The Gospel Truth.” Their roles have been considerably expanded to enhance the storytelling and inject vibrancy. The creative freedom Disney has granted the team is noteworthy, allowing reinterpretations and reimaginings that honor the original spirit but avoid being overly reverential. Characters have been renamed or even performed using puppetry, offering fresh visual dynamics, and the show refuses to be constrained by the film’s iconic aesthetic, instead using it as inspiration while embracing a more theatrical style.

The scale of the production is impressive yet carefully calibrated. Despite Theatre Royal Drury Lane’s status as one of the West End’s largest theatres, the actual stage space used is smaller than previous Hercules productions, a choice credited with increasing the show’s energy and focus. Costume design, influenced by Dolce & Gabbana’s 2019 Ancient Greece-inspired collection, features a blend of classical Grecian styles with contemporary touches, exemplified by high-top trainers decked in gold. The show’s technical complexity is extraordinarily high, with scene changes and special effects requiring precise, millisecond timing. This level of sophistication, described as “Frozen 10 times” by production staff, highlights the herculean effort invested in creating a seamless live theatre experience.

The musical officially opens on June 24, 2025, following previews from June 6, and will run until March 28, 2026. It is suitable for audiences aged six and over, with ticket prices starting at £29.00. Located in London’s Covent Garden, the Theatre Royal Drury Lane offers accessibility via the Covent Garden and Holborn Underground stations. Despite the considerable promotional campaign, the cast and creative team remain tantalisingly secretive about the full scale and spectacle of the show, fostering a sense of mystery and excitement. Trevor Dion Nicholas candidly remarked on the production’s surprises, suggesting it will deliver an experience unlike any other in live theatre, promising to both honour and transcend the beloved animated source material.

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Source: Noah Wire Services