Seeing a West End show is always a highlight of a trip to London, and when Erin heard that Disney’s Hercules had arrived on stage, she was desperate to see it. We managed to see it in February half term and here’s what we thought.
Venue information
Theatre Royal Drury Lane
Hercules is currently playing at the beautiful Theatre Royal Drury Lane, one of the most historic theatres in London’s West End. Located close to Covent Garden, it’s an easy theatre to reach and makes a great addition to a day exploring central London.
Address:
Catherine Street
London
WC2B 5JF
The closest Underground stations are Covent Garden and Holborn, both within walking distance.
The theatre itself is absolutely stunning following its recent restoration, with grand interiors and plenty of space in the foyer areas. It feels like a proper West End theatre experience from the moment you walk in.
Show details
- Running time: Around 2 hours 30 minutes including an interval
- Recommended age: 6+
- Performance times: Evenings with selected matinees during the week and weekends
Because it’s a Disney musical, it’s a popular show for both families and tourists, so performances can sell out quickly during busy periods.
The story behind Hercules
The musical follows the same basic storyline as the Disney film. Hercules is the son of Zeus who, after a plot by Hades, ends up growing up on Earth as a human. Determined to prove himself a true hero, he sets off on a journey filled with monsters, gods and plenty of challenges along the way.
Along the way he meets Meg, trains with Phil and discovers that being a hero isn’t just about strength.
It’s a story that mixes comedy, action and heart, which makes it a great fit for the stage. The musical keeps the spirit of the original film while adding new moments and songs that help develop the characters further.
Our experience watching Hercules
Although Erin and I have both seen the Disney film Hercules, we still weren’t sure what to expect from the stage adaptation. There was a real buzz in the theatre though, and it is one we’d been in before when we took Erin to see her very first West End show, Frozen.
The show stays pretty close to the story in the film so fans won’t be disappointed on that front. I personally enjoyed seeing the backstory of why Hercules no longer lives on Mount Olympus and the struggles he faced there early on.
One of the highlights of the show is the group known as the Muses, who narrate parts of the story through music. Their performances are full of energy and humour, and they really help drive the show along. They also have loads of different costumes thoughout which was fun to see.
There are also some very funny moments throughout the production, especially whenever Hades appears on stage. The character’s sarcastic humour works really well with the audience and often gets big laughs.
The music and stage Effects
The music is a big part of what makes Hercules so enjoyable. Songs like “Go the Distance” are instantly recognisable for fans of the film and are real highlights during the show. However, unlike some Disney productions, there aren’t many big or memorable songs like in Aladdin or The Lion King.
The stage production was lacking a bit for me. This may have been because we saw My Neighbour Totoro the evening before, and was blown away. Here, there are certain scenes that I wanted to be much better, especially with the use of puppetry.
The costumes are colourful and theatrical, which fits perfectly with the larger-than-life feel of the story. The production feels energetic and lively, making it a really entertaining show to watch.
Is Hercules good for kids?
If you’re visiting London as a family, Hercules is a really fun theatre option. The story is easy to follow, there’s lots of humour throughout the show and the big musical numbers keep things lively. Children who already know the Disney film will probably enjoy recognising their favourite characters and songs.
The running time is around two and a half hours including the interval, so it’s probably best suited to children aged six and over who are comfortable sitting through a longer theatre performance.
Tips for visiting the theatre
If you’re planning to see Hercules in London, here are a few tips that might make your visit easier.
Arrive early. The theatre is large and can get quite busy before performances. You’ll generally be admitted into the theatre around an hour before the show starts.
Plan food nearby. Covent Garden has plenty of restaurants and cafes within walking distance, making it easy to grab something before or after the show.
Use the interval wisely. Like most West End theatres, the queues for toilets and refreshments can get quite long.
Make a day of it. The theatre’s location means you can easily combine the show with exploring Covent Garden, the shops or nearby attractions.
Final thoughts
Hercules is a fun, energetic West End musical that brings the Disney story to life in a colourful and entertaining way. However, for us, it was a little bit of a letdown compared with other Disney shows we have seen previously.
The music is good, but lacks songs you’ll remember (aside from Zero to Hero). The cast of Hercules are great though and the performances were fantastic. Hercules has a real sense of fun that keeps the audience engaged throughout.
Would I recommend this one? Probably not, but it would be a good place for younger children to start for a London theatre show.
If you want to get tickets for Disney’s Hercules you’ll need to be quick because it leaves London on 5th September 2026.
