This is London Magazine April Edition 2026 - Flipbook - Page 11
HERCULES ORIGINAL LONDON CAST
RECORDING BRAND-NEW REMIX
With Disney’s Hercules currently
running at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane
in London’s West End, and the release of
the Original London Cast Recording on
vinyl, CD and digitally, one of the
production’s most-loved songs Great
Bolts of Thunder is being released as a
single remixed by electronic music duo
Basement Jaxx.
Basement Jaxx are one of the most
pioneering and important dance acts of
the past 30 years who have released
huge global hits including Red Alert and
Where’s Your Head At. This brand-new
version of Great Bolts of Thunder brings
a whole new energy and sound to this
much loved classic whilst allowing the
power of the vocal to remain central to
the track... so now The Muses will
inhabit the theatres and late night
dancefloors!
Last year, Disney Theatrical Group
and Disney Music Group/Walt Disney
Records released on vinyl, CD and
digitally Hercules Original London Cast
Recording – a cast recording that
combines the classic Disney songs
made famous by the 1997 Hercules
movie such as ‘Go the Distance’, ‘Zero to
Hero’ and ‘I Won’t Say (I’m in Love)’,
with brand new songs also written by
Alan Menken (music) and David Zippel
(lyrics) specifically for the musical.
Disney’s Hercules takes its final bow
this summer – catch it before it's ancient
history! The album is available to stream
and download and in-person at Theatre
Royal Drury Lane.
11
The company of Avenue Q.
AVENUE Q RETURNS TO LONDON
FOR A LIMITED SEASON
The beloved musical Avenue Q has
returned to London’s West End,
delighting fans with a strictly limited
season at the Shaftesbury Theatre from
until 29 August. Produced by Kevin
McCollum and Jamie Wilson
Productions, this revival brings the
original Broadway puppets to the
London stage in a fresh and dynamic
new production.
The star-studded cast features Emily
Benjamin as Kate Monster and Lucy The
Slut, Noah Harrison as Princeton and
Rod, Meg Hateley as Mrs. T and Bad
Idea Bear, Oliver Jacobson as Brian,
Charlie McCullagh as Nicky, Trekkie
Monster, and Bad Idea Bear, Amelia Kinu
Muus as Christmas Eve, and Dionne
Ward-Anderson as Gary Coleman.
Photo: Matt Crockett.
Completing the ensemble are Jasmine
Beel, Jonathan Carlton, Angelis Hunt,
Lesley Lemon, Jessica Niles Kadi, and
Joshua Williams-Ward.
Directed by the original Broadway
director Jason Moore, the production
retains its award-winning creative team,
with music and lyrics by Robert Lopez
and Jeff Marx, a book by Jeff Whitty, and
original puppets by Rick Lyon. New UKbased talent enhances the production
with choreography by Ebony Molina,
costume design by Jean Chan, lighting
by Tim Lutkin, and video design by Nina
Dunn for Pixellux, among others. Julie
Atherton, an original West End cast
member, serves as Associate Director.
Set on New York’s rundown Avenue
Q, the story follows Princeton, a recent
college graduate, as he navigates life’s
challenges with his quirky neighbours.
The irreverent, hilarious, and
heartwarming musical is full of
infectious songs, loveable characters,
and a mischievous charm that has
captivated audiences worldwide.
First opening in London in 2006,
Avenue Q ran at multiple theatres before
closing in 2010, with a special
anniversary concert staged in 2024. This
latest West End return promises to bring
the same wit and warmth to a new
generation of theatre-goers.
www.avenueqmusical.co.uk
T H I S I S L O N D O N M A G A Z I N E • T H I S I S L O N D O N O N L I N E • w w w. t i l . c o m • @ t h i s i s l o n d o n m a g
