When the reviews came out for Disney’s Hercules The Musical in London, I was intrigued. Some critics praised it as a major West End event. Others were far from impressed. Ratings ranged from one to five stars, which is rare even for a show this big. I had to see it for myself.

Now playing at Theatre Royal Drury Lane in Covent Garden, the stage version of Disney’s 1997 animated film is packed with visual tricks, fast-moving scenes, and a lot of colour. From the first moment, it is clear the show is built to entertain rather than challenge.

Directed by Casey Nicholaw, with music by Alan Menken and lyrics by David Zippel, the story follows the same path as the film. Hercules wants to prove himself. Hades wants control of Mount Olympus. The Muses narrate with sharp movement and standout vocals. They are, for me, the strongest element. Every time they appear, the show lifts. Their singing, presence, and style bring the kind of confidence the rest of the production sometimes lacks.

When the casting of Luke Brady as Hercules was first announced, most of the conversation focused on his physique. But once he appears on stage, what matters is the voice and delivery. He has both. His character arc feels thin, but vocally he carries it well. His version of Go the Distance hits exactly where it should.

Mae Ann Jorolan brings edge and poise to Meg. She does not try to make the character soft. She sings with intent and presence. Trevor Dion Nicholas adds charm as Phil. Stephen Carlile plays Hades more like a cabaret villain. At times it works. At others, it feels like a missed opportunity to add depth.

The production is visually ambitious. The set moves constantly. Rotating structures, digital projections, layered lighting. It looks impressive but often feels overstimulated. There is not much room to sit in the moment. The costumes mix references without much cohesion. Some are effective. Others feel like parody. Everything moves quickly, sometimes at the cost of clarity.

The show includes new songs alongside the familiar ones. Most are fine, but not many stay in the memory. The original material still does most of the emotional work. Structurally, it all moves fast but rarely slows down enough to explore what Hercules is actually going through. That makes the whole thing easy to follow but hard to feel.

The show runs just over two hours with an interval. Disney’s Hercules The Musical officially opened in June 2025 and is booking until March 28, 2026. Performances take place Monday to Saturday with weekend matinees. Tickets start around £32 and are available through the official Hercules Musical website or trusted platforms like Central Tickets, Ticketmaster, and London Theatre Direct.

This is not the kind of musical that stays with you because of what it says. But it does hold your attention. It moves well, sounds good, and delivers a lot to look at. Not everything lands, but enough does to make it worth the visit. Personally, I left feeling entertained but not moved. It gave me rhythm, colour, and a few clever turns. I just wish it had taken one more step toward meaning.

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A visual ride with strong voices and steady momentum. Hercules is built for fun, not feeling, and that is exactly what it offers.