Latest news with #GotheDistance
Express Tribune
14 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Disney's 'Hercules' opens in London West End theatre
Disney takes London audiences back to Ancient Greece with its new musical Hercules, bringing alive its 1997 animation on the West End stage, reports Reuters. Showing at composer Andrew Lloyd Webber's Theatre Royal Drury Lane, the show is inspired by the much-loved Disney film, itself based on the ancient myth. It follows the titular character and son of Zeus who, upon losing his immortality as a baby due to the plotting Hades, god of the underworld, goes from zero to hero to stop his uncle from taking over. "It's a myth that reflects contemporary culture and still honours the DNA of (the) animated movie," Robert Horn, who wrote the show's book with Kwame Kwei-Armah, told Reuters late on Tuesday at the musical's press night. "It's its own new thing and yet fans of the movie will absolutely come and recognise it and love it." Central to the show are the five Muses, who sing their way through the story with energetic gospel-like tunes and plenty of costume changes. "I think I speak for all of us ... we have idolised these women. We have looked at these women and seen ourselves in times when we weren't really represented," actor Malinda Parris, who plays Calliope, said. "So being able to be that representation for other young girls ... who ... want to be The Muses ... it's living the dream." The show differs from the film in several ways, including Hercules' mentor, Phil, no longer being a satyr but a taverna owner. "The main thing is that he still is there ... to love and support Hercules on his journey," actor Trevor Dion Nicholas said. "It really is about building this bond between the two of them that kind of builds this paternal relationship that I think we were able to deepen more so than the animated film was." Hercules is the latest Disney stage adaptation in London, showing in the same theatre where the hit show Frozen ran up until last year. It features songs written by Oscar-winning composer Alan Menken and lyricist David Zippel from the animation, including Go the Distance and Zero to Hero, as well as new tunes. As per UK daily The Independent, while the film wasn't an immediate box office smash Hercules has garnered a cult following over the years. The musical, which began life as a workshop in Central Park in 2019, was previously performed in German in Hamburg. Hercules will play at Theatre Royal Drury Lane from June 24 until March 28, 2026.
Observer
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Observer
Disney launches stage musical 'Hercules' in London
Disney takes London audiences back to Ancient Greece with its new musical "Hercules", bringing alive its 1997 animation on the West End stage. Showing at composer Andrew Lloyd Webber's Theatre Royal Drury Lane, the show is inspired by the much-loved Disney film, itself based on the ancient myth. It follows the titular character and son of Zeus who, upon losing his immortality as a baby due to the plotting Hades, god of the underworld, goes from zero to hero to stop his uncle from taking over. "It's a myth that reflects contemporary culture and still honours the DNA of (the) animated movie," Robert Horn, who wrote the show's book with Kwame Kwei-Armah, told Reuters late on Tuesday at the musical's press night. "It's its own new thing and yet fans of the movie will absolutely come and recognise it and love it.' Central to the show are the five Muses, who sing their way through the story with energetic gospel-like tunes and plenty of costume changes. "I think I speak for all of us ... we have idolized these women. We have looked at these women and seen ourselves in times when we weren't really represented," actor Malinda Parris, who plays Calliope, said. "So being able to be that representation for other young girls ... who ... want to be The Muses ... it's living the dream." The show differs from the movie in several ways, including Hercules' mentor, Phil, no longer being a satyr but a taverna owner. "The main thing is that he still is there ... to love and support Hercules on his journey," actor Trevor Dion Nicholas said. "It really is about building this bond between the two of them that kind of builds this paternal relationship that I think we were able to deepen more so than the animated film was." "Hercules" is the latest Disney stage adaptation in London, showing in the same theatre where the hit show "Frozen" ran up until last year. It features songs written by Oscar-winning composer Alan Menken and lyricist David Zippel from the animation, including "Go the Distance" and "Zero to Hero", as well as new tunes. —Reuters
Muscat Daily
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Muscat Daily
Hercules flexes his musical muscles on London stage
London – The son of Zeus is back—and this time, he's belting high notes. Disney's Hercules , the cult-favourite 1997 animated film, has been reborn as a live stage musical at London's iconic Theatre Royal Drury Lane. And yes, it brings the gods, the laughs, and the gospel-powered muses along for the ride. The musical adaptation sticks to the original's heroic arc: baby Hercules is stripped of his immortality by scheming underworld uncle Hades and must earn his way back to Mount Olympus by becoming a true hero. But don't expect a carbon copy. As co-writer Robert Horn puts it, the show 'reflects contemporary culture and still honours the DNA of the animated movie.' Fan-favourite elements return with full force—especially the muses, who narrate Hercules' journey with sass, soul and sequins. Malinda Parris, who plays Calliope, calls it a dream come true. 'We've idolised these women,' she says. 'To now be that representation for young girls—it's powerful.' While the film's heart remains, expect a few divine tweaks. Hercules' tough-love trainer Phil has swapped his satyr hooves for taverna vibes. 'Phil still loves and supports Hercules,' says actor Trevor Dion Nicholas, 'but we've deepened that paternal relationship.' Alongside the original soundtrack by Oscar-winner Alan Menken—including hits like Go the Distance and Zero to Hero—the show introduces new numbers that aim to hit just as hard. Packed with big voices, fresh choreography and plenty of nostalgia, Hercules the musical may just pull off the Herculean task of pleasing old fans and new audiences alike. Get ready for laughs, lyres and lightning bolts—it's hero time in the West End.
The Guardian
22-03-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
TV tonight: a fantastically silly family-friendly Squid Game
6pm, ITV1 Who would have thought a group of adults trying to balance a spiral toy on their heads could be so entertaining? This is soap actor brothers Adam and Ryan Thomas's fun new gameshow, in which 100 contestants have to make it to the end of the whole series to win a cash prize – but first they need to complete a bunch of very silly tasks without coming last. Think of it as a family-friendly Squid Game. Hollie Richardson 5.50pm, BBC One It's the first semi-final of the enjoyably ludicrous meta-sport spectacular and the gladiators are pumped: Cyclone loses it in the locker room, while a fan gets on the wrong end of Viper's pantomime wrath. On the arena floor, one contestant lets loose in a more positive way, smashing records in Powerball. Jack Seale 6.50pm, BBC One Disney fans can preview the upcoming Hercules musical in this annual stage extravaganza, with Herc actor Luke Brady singing Go the Distance. There'll also be performances from buzzy comedy Titanique, the award-winning Cabaret and the classic Mary Poppins. HR 8.15pm, Channel 4 If you ever needed evidence of the astonishing influence of the Greeks on culture, this historical travelogue should do it. Not in the drinker Thespis being responsible for the term 'thespian'. Or in their invention of democracy. But in the goddess Nike, whose name became a globe-conquering brand. Alexi Duggins 9.15pm, BBC One In the penultimate episode of the post-first world war drama, secrets and scandals collide. A missing bullet spells danger for Violet and Kate, we discover the truth about Billie, and MP Frederick Asquith-Gore is blackmailed: 'You work so hard, the last thing you need is sordid rumours flying around the press speculating about seances and black magic.' Ali Catterall 9.20pm, ITV1 Aimee Lou Wood is already having a whopper of a year, as the star of Toxic Town and a standout in The White Lotus. She's on Jonathan Ross's sofa, along with Stephen Fry, Gangs of London actor Sopé Dìrísù and comedian Joanne McNally. HR O'Dessa, out now, Disney+ Geremy Jasper's new sci-fi film has similarities to the We Will Rock You musical in its simple morality and dressing-up-box punk aesthetic. In this dystopian world, there is a prophecy of 'one who could stir souls … armed with a guitar'. That would be folksy farm girl O'Dessa (Stranger Things's Sadie Sink), who follows her late father's stolen guitar to Satylite City, a neon-lit tip whose inhabitants are in thrall to quasi-religious TV entertainer/dictator Plutonovich (Murray Bartlett). Kelvin J Harrison is a standout as O'Dessa's gender-fluid rock star love interest. Simon Wardell Athletics: World Indoor Championships, 10.30am, BBC Two Day two concludes with the women's 60m final and men's pole vault final, in which world record holder Mondo Duplantis should feature. Premiership Rugby Union: Saracens v Harlequins, 2.30pm, TNT Sports 1 Followed by Bristol Bears v Exeter Chiefs at 5.15pm. Bath v Gloucester is on Sun at 2.30pm. Women's Six Nations Rugby: Scotland v Wales, 4.30pm, BBC Two From Hive Stadium, Edinburgh. England v Italy is on Sun at 2.30pm. Super League Rugby: Leeds Rhinos v Wigan Warriors, 5pm, Sky Sports Main Event At AMT Headingley Stadium. World Cup Football: Wales v Kazakhstan, 7.30pm, BBC Three A Group J qualifier from Cardiff. North Macedonia v Wales is on Tue at 7.30pm on BBC Three.
