Broadway's Bradley Gibson Will Be the West End's Final Hercules

The stage adaptation of the Disney film plays the Theatre Royal Drury Lane.

April 02, 2026 By Andrew Gans, Logan Culwell-Block

Bradley Gibson, who originated the title role in the 2023 Paper Mill Playhouse world premiere of Disney's Hercules, will return to that part in the current West End production of the hit musical at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane.

Gibson, whose Broadway credits include The Lion King, A Bronx Tale, and Rocky, will join the London cast June 29, making his West End debut, and continue through the musical's final performance September 5. Additional actors for the show's final company will be announced shortly.

In a statement Gibson said, “What an honor to step back into the role of Hercules, which I had the enormous privilege of originating back home. To come full circle with this epic production, and make my West End debut at the glorious Theatre Royal Drury Lane is an absolute dream come true.”

Previews began June 6, 2025, with Casey Nicholaw directing and choreographing. Opening night was June 25.

READ: Disney’s Hercules Is Getting a Remix

The London cast is currently led by Luke Brady as Hercules, plus Candace Furbert as Thalia, Sharlene Hector as Clio, Brianna Ogunbawo as Melpomene, Leslie Beehann as Calliope, Robyn Rose-Li as Terpsichore, Mae Ann Jorolan as Meg, Trevor Dion Nicholas as Phil, Stephen Carlile as Hades, Craig Gallivan as Bob, and Lee Zarrett as Charles.

Adapted from Disney's 1997 animated film, Hercules played several earlier runs, premiering in 2019 via the Public Theater's Free Shakespeare in the Park Series and playing New Jersey's Paper Mill Playhouse in 2023. A new production, with Tony winner Nicholaw taking over as director and choreographer, premiered in Hamburg, and that staging was the basis for the West End bow. Nicholaw is joined by co-choreographer Tanisha Scott, also reprising her work from the German production.

Hercules has music by Alan Menken and lyrics by David Zippel, including their songs from the original film and several new tunes written for the stage musical. The book is by Robert Horn and Kwame Kwei-Armah, based on the Disney film written by Ron Clements, John Musker, Donald McEnery, Bob Shaw, and Irene Mecchi and directed by Clements and Musker.

The West End creative team also includes scenic and additional video designer Dane Laffrey, costume designers Gregg Barnes and Sky Switser, lighting designer Jeff Croiter, sound designer Adam Fisher, video designer George Reeve, hair and wig designer Mia M. Neal, make-up designer Kirk Cambridge-Del Pesche, and special effects designer Jeremy Chernick.

Michael Kosarin penned the arrangements and serves as music supervisor, with Danny Troob and Joseph Joubert providing orchestrations. Dance arrangements are by David Chase.

Telling the story of the muscle-bound half-god Hercules of Greek mythology, Hercules features such Disney favorites as "Go the Distance," “Zero to Hero,” and “I Won’t Say (I’m in Love)."

The original London cast recording is available on digital download, CD, and vinyl.

Click here for ticket information.