The Lyric Theatre – until 22nd December 2024
Reviewed by Fiona Leyman
5*****
Ever wondered why there are 4 Seasons in a year? Why Spring and Summer brings harvest and warmth, whereas Autumn and Winter are cold and bleak? This is a tale from long ago. A Love Story! A Tragedy! This Greek Myth has been told for thousands of Years and The Gods have returned to London Town to tell it all once again.
King Hades, the god of the underworld, fell in love with the beautiful Persephone. For half of the year, she walked above, providing food, warmth, and peace to those around her. She spends the other half of the year in the underworld, transforming the above into a cold and baron existence. Intertwined with these two gods is the tragic love story of Orpheus and Eurydice. A love so strong that he would walk through hell to get her back. Through song, he persuades Hades to let him leave with Eurydice, but only on King Hades terms. They could not walk side by side, hand in hand as planned, but one in front and one behind. Will they make it out of the underworld together, or will Eurydice be condemned in hell forever?
Anais Mitchell’s Tony® and Grammy® Award-winning musical HadesTown has returned to London following a phenomenal run-on Broadway. Mitchell’s song writing is inspired, and she consistently produces hit songs. This is a sung-through musical with little to no dialogue and an extensive 33-song soundtrack. Mixing beautiful story-telling lyrics with a hint of jazz and blues, results in a musical score unlike any other.
The set design by Rachel Hauck and lighting by Bradly King are unlike anything I’ve ever seen. Incorporating the dark wooden tones of a New Orleans jazz bar before plunging (literally) into the deepest depths of an industrial hell. Bradly King’s lighting design is inspired, producing visual effects unseen in today’s West End. This combination, combined with costumes by Designer Michael Krass, results in an out-of-this-world stage production that will leave audiences speechless.
The casting for this new production is exceptional. Melanie La Barrie (&Juliet, Mary Poppins) plays Hermes, a formidable figure and story teller. From the moment she walks on stage, the audience is captivated by her flair, charm, and extraordinary voice. Gloria Onitiri (Taming of the Shrew-Shakespeare Globe) plays Persephone to perfection and commands the stage like no other. King Hades, played by Zachary James (Sweeney Todd, Addams Family Broadway), is both intimidating, and hypnotic. His height towers over the rest of the cast, giving him the ideal God-like presence on stage. The rest of the cast is equally impressive. Donal Finn (Netflix’s The Witcher) and Grace Hodgett Young (Sunset Boulevard) portray the endearing Orpheus and Eurydice. Donal, a talented guitarist, performs this beautifully onstage throughout. The Fates will remain in your memory long after you see them. They are the voice in the back of your head that brings doubt, fear, and is constantly trying to bring you down. Bella Brown, Madeline Charlemagne, and Allie Daniel command the stage with their wit, bringing these menacing voices to life. The chorus and band also take centre stage, with each receiving their own shoutouts throughout the performance. The 7-piece band transformed the Lyric Theatre into a downtown New Orleans Jazz bar with their pitch-perfect sound.
I could talk about Hades Town for days. Hades Town will take you on a journey through love, sacrifice, doubt, Greek mythology, and the underworld itself. It is unlike anything you will have ever seen before, and there is nothing like it on the West End. So, jump on this train and head deep into the underground of HadesTown. This ride is something not to be missed!