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Express Tribune
15 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.
