Hadestown

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From £25
Hadestown
8+

Available Performances

  • Fri 16 Jan
    19:30
  • Sat 17 Jan
    14:30, 19:30
  • Sun 18 Jan
    15:00
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🕗 2 hours 30 minutes🎭 Lyric Theatre

⭐4.7/5 based on 239 reviews

Things to Know Before You Go

What is Hadestown about?

Hadestown reimagines the ancient Greek myths of Orpheus and Eurydice, and Hades and Persephone, as a story about love, work and power in a harsh, industrial world. Against a backdrop of scarcity and fear, it asks what we are willing to risk for hope, art and connection.

Is Hadestown suitable for children?

Hadestown is generally recommended for older children and teenagers. It contains mature themes and some darker moments, as you would expect from a story set in the underworld, but it is not graphic. Parents of younger audience members may wish to read a little about the myth beforehand to judge suitability.

What style of music can I expect in Hadestown?

The score blends folk, jazz and blues influences, with a band on stage that feels part gig, part narrative engine. The music ranges from intimate ballads to full-throttle ensemble numbers, with the band and cast often sharing the space in a way that feels immersive and immediate.

Do I need to know Greek mythology to enjoy Hadestown?

No prior knowledge is required. The show tells the story clearly, and the relationships between the characters are easy to follow even if you have never encountered the myths before. If you do know the original tales, you may enjoy the clever ways the musical plays with and reframes them.

How long does Hadestown run in the theatre?

The running time is around two hours and thirty minutes, including an interval. The pacing is carefully judged, with a balance of storytelling, music and movement that keeps the evening flowing without feeling rushed.

Is Hadestown very loud or intense?

Some musical numbers are powerful and full-bodied, and there are moments of strong lighting and sound when the underworld is evoked. However, quieter songs and more intimate scenes provide contrast, and most theatregoers find the overall sound design thrilling rather than overwhelming.

About this show

A fiercely modern retelling of the Orpheus and Eurydice myth, Hadestown plunges you into a smoky, industrial underworld where love, labour and power collide. At the Lyric Theatre, Anaïs Mitchell's folk-inspired score and Rachel Chavkin's inventive staging transform the story of Orpheus, Eurydice, Hades and Persephone into a pulsing, contemporary fable about hope in hard times. Award-winning folk, jazz and blues score is performed live on stage by a band that feels part bar-room ensemble, part Greek chorus, guiding you through a world of clattering trains, shadowy factories and fragile human connections. The result is a musical that feels intimate and epic all at once: emotionally direct, politically resonant and richly atmospheric.