HADESTOWN To Be Captured Live

London’s West End is once again opening its underworld doors—but this time, fans of the Tony and Grammy Award-winning musical HADESTOWN have an extra reason to celebrate. The show’s producers have confirmed that the Lyric Theatre production will be filmed live for posterity in early 2025. With the announcement that much of the original Broadway cast will reunite on stage—offering theatre lovers a chance to see (and eventually re-watch) these iconic performances—excitement around town is at a fever pitch. If you’re among those who have dreamed of re-living or finally witnessing André de Shields, Eva Noblezada, and the rest of the team in full mythical glory, this might be the perfect opportunity to join the chorus in “raising our cups.”

A Historic Live Capture Event

Unlike many musicals that only get recorded in part, HADESTOWN is going the full distance with a live capture across three different performances: on Friday 28 February, plus the matinee and evening shows on Saturday 1 March 2025. There are 2,000 tickets going on sale for these special performances, which means some lucky fans can actually be in the theatre, adding a bit of real audience electricity to the final recording. According to producers, those particular tickets will be available starting 31 January at 12pm—so if you’re keen to witness theatre history in the making, set a reminder for that date and time.

Of course, filming a live musical in front of a full house can be challenging—logistics, camera placement, and audio quality all have to be balanced with the audience’s experience in mind. In preparation for this task, the production has removed the 25 to 27 February performance dates from its schedule, presumably so that the creative team and filming crew can work out the nitty-gritty details. The final product’s release date is yet to be announced, but judging by the excitement already brewing, it’s sure to become a must-see event for theatre enthusiasts worldwide.

The Original Cast Returns

When HADESTOWN opened on Broadway, it quickly became a critical and commercial sensation. Anaïs Mitchell’s vision—a fusion of folk, blues, and New Orleans-inspired melodies—earned the show numerous accolades, including a Tony Award for Best Musical, while also capturing the hearts of theatre-goers from all walks of life. Adding to the production’s success was its powerhouse original cast, featuring André de Shields as the sly, charismatic Hermes, Eva Noblezada as the wide-eyed Eurydice, Reeve Carney as the idealistic Orpheus, Amber Gray as the rebellious Persephone, and Patrick Page as the gravel-voiced Hades.

Now, these same stars will be joining the West End staging. For many fans, it’s the reunion they’ve been anticipating since the show first transferred from the National Theatre in London to Broadway in 2019. André de Shields, in particular, became synonymous with the role of Hermes, winning a Tony Award for his performance. Likewise, Page’s portrayal of Hades brought a weighty gravitas to the underworld’s king, while Gray’s Persephone constantly dazzled as the irreverent but tender queen. Noblezada and Carney’s chemistry as Eurydice and Orpheus, meanwhile, created the emotional core of the piece—haunting, romantic, and absolutely riveting.

Their presence in the London cast means a chance to witness the production as it was first introduced to Broadway audiences, but in the more intimate and distinct setting of the Lyric Theatre. And if you saw them during their 2018 sold-out engagement at the National Theatre—where the seeds of HADESTOWN in the UK were truly planted—this is your chance to watch how the show has evolved over time, taking on new nuances with each performance.

Plot And Production

HADESTOWN spins two ancient tales of love and loss—those of Orpheus and Eurydice, and King Hades and his wife Persephone—through the lens of a folk-inspired score. While the overall arc traces a journey to the underworld and back, the story is anything but predictable. Mitchell has created a tapestry of songs that shift from rousing ensemble anthems to haunting solo moments. There’s a reason why so many theatre fans have played the show’s original cast album (and more recently, the live London cast album) on repeat: the music is at once timeless and novel, merging classical myth with modern sensibility.

The new London cast recording, released in late 2022, garnered rave reviews and offered a glimpse into how UK audiences were embracing the material. And now, with the forthcoming filming, HADESTOWN stands a good chance of finding an even wider global viewership, adding to the fervour that’s already built around it.

The Ensemble And Creative Team

While the principal cast members are grabbing headlines, it’s crucial not to overlook the powerhouse ensemble and creative team that make this mythic machine run so smoothly each night. Among the ensemble, Bella Brown, Madeline Charlemagne, and Allie Daniel will portray the Fates, adding their chilling harmonies and playful commentary that guide and sometimes distort the characters’ paths. Charlemagne takes on a special challenge, returning to the show after previously starring as Eurydice—quite a testament to her versatility.

Appearing as the Workers—those unfortunate souls toiling away in Hades’ underground factories—are Lauren Azania, Tiago Dhondt Bamberger, Waylon Jacobs, and Christopher Short, with swings Lucinda Buckley, Francessca Daniella-Baker, Winny Herbert, Ryesha Higgs, and Miriam Nyarko on standby to keep everything running smoothly, no matter what surprises the theatrical gods might throw at them.

The creative team includes the likes of Rachel Hauck (scenic design), Michael Krass (costume design), Bradley King(lighting), and Nevin Steinberg and Jessica Paz (sound design)—the latter two famously bagged a Tony Award for their work on HADESTOWN. David Neumann handles choreography, ensuring each footstep matches the show’s distinct vibe, while Liam Robinson (music supervision and vocal arrangements) and Michael Chorney and Todd Sickafoose(arrangements and orchestrations) bring Mitchell’s score roaring to life. Ken Cerniglia is on dramaturgy duty, and Maria Crocker (UK associate director) and Tarek Merchant (musical director) provide local expertise that ties everything together.

An Immersive Live Capture

A live capture isn’t just a glorified archival recording—it’s a full-blown cinematic experience, typically featuring multiple cameras, close-up shots, and dynamic editing that enhance the storytelling while preserving that all-important sense of real-time performance. Fans who’ve watched the filmed versions of other musicals (like the stage recordings of Hamiltonor some of the classic Australian theatre captures from Melbourne or Sydney companies) can attest to how powerful it can be to see the sweat on an actor’s brow, the subtle shift in an expression, or a perfectly timed comedic gesture, all framed expertly for your screen.

For HADESTOWN, the potential is especially tantalising. The swirling dances, the interplay of light and shadow (crucial in a show set largely in the underworld), and the electric chemistry between the cast members could make for a truly immersive experience. It’s also an ideal introduction for those who might feel daunted by live theatre costs or location barriers; if it becomes widely available post-release, fans around the globe can partake in the spectacle without hopping on a plane to London.

Mythology Meets Folk Music

Since its inception, HADESTOWN’s allure has been partly due to its unusual premise—melding the myth of Orpheus and Eurydice with a contemporary folk-jazz score. While it’s common for musicals to mine classical texts (from Shakespeare to Greek tragedies), few manage to stand out with such a distinct signature. HADESTOWN, however, found the sweet spot between the timeless resonance of ancient myth and the immediacy of modern music. Audiences hear the laments of souls trapped in labour, or the personal heartbreak of parted lovers, delivered in a style that ranges from lilting lullabies to brassy showstoppers.

This fusion creates a compelling emotional atmosphere. It feels both familiar and otherworldly—an experience that’s as much about vibe as it is about narrative. That the show also manages to be playful and comedic in moments (thanks in large part to the wise-cracking Hermes) underlines its broad appeal. Essentially, it’s a story about hope and defiance in the face of impossible odds, told with a foot-stomping beat.

The Countdown Begins

So, what should eager fans do in the meantime? For starters, circle 31 January at 12pm on your calendars if you hope to nab seats for the filming performances. With only 2,000 of these special tickets on sale, demand is expected to be fierce. Note that the cast featuring de Shields, Noblezada, Carney, Gray, and Page will officially begin on 11 February 2025, running until 9 March 2025, so plan your diaries accordingly. If you’re unable to make it in person, stay tuned for news on the recorded version’s release. Producers have yet to reveal exactly where or when it will be shown, but it’s safe to assume that fans around the world will have an opportunity to witness the magic in due course.

Raising Our Cups

As the lights dim at the Lyric Theatre and the cameras start to roll, HADESTOWN will mark another milestone in its transformative journey—from concept album to off-Broadway gem, from the National Theatre stage to Tony Award-winning juggernaut. This live capture promises to immortalise the incredible chemistry of a legendary cast, delivering the music, romance, and heartbreak of the underworld straight to us all.

Ultimately, filming HADESTOWN in the West End exemplifies how theatre is evolving in the digital age, capturing fleeting moments of stage artistry so that they can be revisited and shared. For fans, the underworld has never felt more accessible. Whether you’re a die-hard devotee returning to see your favourite stars or a curious newcomer who’s been tapping your feet to Wait For Me, there’s never been a better time to descend into the land of the dead—and maybe find a spark of hope and song along the way. So here’s to raising a cup (or two) in celebration, and letting the timeless refrain echo through the theatre: “We’re going to sing it again and again.”