Luke Brady will play the title role in Disney’s Hercules. Picture: Phil Hill © Disney
Luke Brady will take on the title role in the upcoming UK premiere production of Disney’s Hercules at Theatre Royal Drury Lane next summer.
Brady, whose previous credits include the London premiere of another musical based on a hit animated film, The Prince of Egypt, will take centre stage as the mythical son of Zeus in the new production which will begin preview performances on 6 June 2025 ahead of an opening night on 24 June. The initial booking period runs up to 10 January 2026.
Confirming the production had found its perfect Hercules, Anne Quart, executive producer at Disney Theatrical Group, said: “After a wide and exhaustive search, we are thrilled to announce Luke as Hercules. His remarkable depth as an actor delivers all the weight and power the character demands, but it’s his magnetism and presence that elevate this mythic character into a relatable young man, finding his way in the world and learning what it means to be human. The Hercules team has fallen in love with him and know that audiences will feel the same.”
Director and choreographer Casey Nicholaw said: “In a search that took us across the globe, we have found our perfect hero in Luke, and I look forward to working with him over the coming months to develop the much-loved character of Hercules. We can’t wait for him to lift the roof at Theatre Royal Drury Lane.”
The musical version of the hit 1997 animated film features music and lyrics by Alan Menken and David Zippel and a new book by Robert Horn and Kwame Kwei-Armah.
Commenting on the production, Thomas Schumacher, chief creative officer at the Disney Theatrical Group, said: “Hercules holds a treasured place among Disney Renaissance films. With its irresistible Alan Menken score, iconic characters and the unforgettable Muses, fans’ affection for the film has only deepened since its release. Now, this production redefines Hercules for a whole new generation.”
Offering an insight into the new production, Menken said: “Hercules was thrilling when I was first working on it in the mid-90s and has only grown more exciting and amazing with each passing adaptation. The new songs David Zippel and I have added for our upcoming production in London, have deepened the emotional impact and further developed the stylistic panache.
“The humour and overall message of the script by Robert Horn and Kwame Kwei-Armah have brought our story to wonderful new heights and supercharged the underlying message of this story. And, when it comes to bringing all of this to life on stage, there’s no one even close to Casey Nicholaw in creating theatrical magic. I can’t wait for audiences to experience our new Hercules!!”
Zippel added: “It’s an absolute joy to revisit Hercules which was a glorious collaboration with Alan back in the late 1990s. Adapting the film for the stage is the chance to build on the wit and action of the animation, then expand and deepen the characters via new songs, creating something new and exciting for the West End.”
Co-book writer Horn said: “What an honour it is to work with this amazing team on this new stage incarnation of the beloved and highly anticipated title Hercules. Kwame and I could not be more excited to bring our very different and unified styles of comedy and storytelling to this magical, mythical tale. And with this iconic score!
“We hope you’ll laugh and feel all the feels watching it as much as we did working together on it. We laughed so hard, we both got abs. We’re thrilled to present to you this gloriously heartwarming and hysterical story of heroism, community, cool togas and fabulous divas!”
Co-writer Kwei-Armah said: “Robert and I have had such a joyous time learning about each other and laughing together as we have shaped the story for the musical and that gets right into the DNA of what this show is: laughter, love and a quest for self-discovery that offers so much for audiences of all ages.”
Co-choreographed by Tanisha Scott, the new production features set and additional video design by Dane Laffrey, costume design by Gregg Barnes and Sky Switser, lighting design by Jeff Croiter and sound design by Adam Fisher. The production team also includes video designer George Reeve, hair by Mia M Neal, make-up by Kirk Cambridge-Del Pesche and special effects from Jeremy Chernick. The music team is headed by music supervisor and arranger Michael Kosarin, with orchestrations by Danny Troob and Joseph Joubert , and dance arrangements by David Chase. Casting is by Natalie Gallacher for Pippa Ailion and Natalie Gallacher Casting.
The new production featuring the book by Horn and Kwei-Armah, and directed by Nicholaw premiered at the Neue Flora theatre in Hamburg, Germany earlier this year. While the German production was presented by Stage Entertainment, the London run is being overseen by Disney Theatrical Group.
Hercules follows another Disney hit Frozen into the Theatre Royal Drury Lane. Frozen ended its three years at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane in September.
Angela Thomas
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