Old scores Why Greek myths are gods' gifts to musicals

From Hadestown to H Hercules, eternal tales of love and coming of age are still reeling in audiences

- Arifa Akbar

Ancient Greek dramas have long thrived on the West End stage. Recent times have seen Sophie Okonedo's electrifying Medea; Brie Larson's high-wire Elektra; and Mark Strong's smoothly political Oedipus. But the likes of Hades and Eurydice are less often found belting out big numbers alongside a dancing ensemble. Until now, it would seem. Mythological musicals are on the rise: Disney's Hercules opened last week and Anaïs Mitchell's Hadestown is in its second year at the Lyric, while The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical is going on tour this summer.

"Greek theatre has influenced every facet of our lives, from athletics to religion," says Cedric Neal, who plays Hermes in Hadestown. "What better than for it to be translated to the stage with music, choreography and dance?" Neal has a good point: Greek tragedies, in their original incarnations, were traditionally performed with dance and music, so it is fitting for them to take the guise of full-blown modern musical theatre.

Hadestown revolves around two ancient tales: Persephone's abduction by Hades and the doomed romance between Eurydice, who ventures into Hades' underworld, and Orpheus, who tries to get her out. Hermes narrates the show, delivering some of the plot through songs incorporating gospel, jazz, folk, bluegrass and soul.