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Is HERCULES closing for THE GREATEST SHOWMAN... or not? | what's going on with the Disney musicals
Less than a year after it arrived in the West End, it has been announced that Disney's HERCULES will conclude its run in London.
This perhaps surprising news has invited speculation as to why the popular show is ending so soon, and which show might be next at Theatre Royal, Drury Lane?
Is this the soon to be announced West End home of THE GREATEST SHOWMAN, or is Broadway going to be that musical's next destination after its Bristol world premiere?
Check out Mickey-Jo's thoughts in this theatre news recap...
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00:00 | introduction
02:34 | Hercules closing
07:14 | why is it closing?
11:22 | The Greatest Showman
16:14 | something else?
21:44 | Hercules' future
About Mickey-Jo:
As one of the leading voices in theatre criticism on a social platform, Mickey-Jo is pioneering a new medium for a dwindling field. His YouTube channel: MickeyJoTheatre is the largest worldwide in terms of dedicated theatre criticism, where he also share features, news and interviews as well as lifestyle content for over 95,000 subscribers. With a viewership that is largely split between the US and the UK he has been fortunate enough to be able to work with PR, Marketing, and Social Media representatives for shows in New York, London, Edinburgh, Hamburg, Toronto, Sao Pãolo, and Paris. His reviews and features have also been published by WhatsOnStage, for whom he was a panelist to help curate nominees for their 2023 and 2024 Awards as well as BroadwayWorldUK, Musicals Magazine and LondonTheatre.co.uk. Instagram/TikTok/X: @MickeyJoTheatre
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Dracula starring Cynthia Erivo (Noël Coward Theatre, West End) - ★★★★ REVIEW
27:29|One of the most anticipated West End productions of 2026 has finally arrived, as Dracula starring Cynthia Erivo opens tonight at the Noel Coward Theatre in London.The production, which has already been seen in Australia, will be adapted and directed by Kip Williams and comes on the heels of his previous staging of The Picture of Dorian Gray starring Sarah Snook.Check out this full review to find out more about the production, this adaptation of the Bram Stoker story, and Cynthia's performance as every one of its characters...•00:00 | introduction02:59 | how does the play work?11:30 | the material / adaptation16:24 | Cynthia's performance 24:57 | conclusioncan we talk about shows during previews? | thoughts about early feedback for new theatre openings
39:13|There has recently been a lot of online conversation about a couple of new stage productions in the UK, both of which were, at the time, in previews.The online criticism of early performances of Dracula starring Cynthia Erivo, and curtain call footage of Legally Blonde on tour starring Amber Davies has reignited the debate about whether or not a show's earliest performances should be criticised.So, here are Mickey-Jo's thoughts as a full-time critic about when it is respectful or appropriate to review a show and how much responsibility falls to a show's producers...•00:00 | introduction02:56 | what are previews?10:38 | when do critics review?20:50 | why is there discourse?32:21 | what is the solution?Arcadia (The Old Vic Theatre, London) - ★★★★★ REVIEW
22:58|One of the most celebrated plays of the 20th century, and perhaps the finest work of Tom Stoppard, Arcadia, has recently returned to the stage in a new production at the Old Vic Theatre.This revival, opening only a few months after the celebrated playwright's passing, is directed by Carrie Cracknell.Check out Mickey-Jo's thoughts on the lauded play, its mathematical complexities, and this new production in this full review...•00:00 | introduction02:23 | overview / synopsis10:05 | themes / development15:17 | this production21:00 | conclusionThe Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry (Theatre Royal Haymarket, West End) - ★★★★★ REVIEW
33:12|The West End's newest musical is THE UNLIKELY PILGRIMAGE OF HAROLD FRY, based on the novel of the same name by Rachel Joyce.The show is adapted with a book by Joyce and an original score by the indie-folk somgwriter, Passenger, and stars Mark Addy and Jenna Russell.Check out Mickey-Jo's thoughts on the show, its material, and its design in this full review...•00:00 | introduction03:02 | synopsis / overview11:04 | the material18:23 | performances25:54 | creative choices (spoilers)31:53 | conclusionAll Is But Fantasy by Whitney White (The Other Place, RSC, Stratford-Upon-Avon) - 8★ REVIEW
23:42|Last Wednesday, Mickey-Jo spent all day at the Royal Shakespeare Company in Stratford upon Avon to see the two part play ALL IS BUT FANTASY.The piece, which is written, composed, directed and performed by Whitney White, extrapolates Shakespeare’s tragic heroines in order to study their arcs, empowerment and lasting social impact.Check out this full review for Mickey-Jo's thoughts on both plays separately and together, as well as the creative choices and supporting cast...•00:00 | introduction02:37 | synopsis / overview08:11 | development15:36 | creatives / performances22:02 | conclusion•why is MOULIN ROUGE! closing? | the reason why the musical is ending its Broadway run after 7 years
27:14|A few days ago, it was announced that MOULIN ROUGE! THE MUSICAL would close on Broadway after 7 years at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre.The stage musical, based on the Baz Luhrmann film of the same name, opened in July 2019 and earned multiple Tony Awards, before giving way to multiple international productions and a US national Tour.Is this a surprising announcement for Broadway, and does it tell us anything about the current theatrical landscape in New York? Or is this simply an example of a successful show reaching a natural end?•00:00 | introduction01:22 | the closing details08:08 | the show's success16:06 | why is it closing?20:58 | what comes next?what to see in the WEST END in 2026 | a guide to the best plays and musicals in London and the UK
38:23|Amidst an already exciting year of theatregoing in the United Kingdom, Mickey-Jo and his stagey fiancé @AeronJames are talking through some of their most anticipated plays and musicals in 2026.In and beyond the West End, from return engagements of Inter Alia and Cyrano de Bergerac, to new productions of The Greatest Showman and The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry as well as regional revivals of My Fair Lady, Once, and more.Check out their respective recommendations and don't forget to share yours in the comments!•00:00 | introduction02:06 | Musicals in London10:21 | Plays in London18:26 | Off-West End shows26:44 | Regional Productions37:12 | conclusionMickey-Jo saw three iconic musicals in SPANISH! | reviews of Los Miserables, Wicked & The Book of Mormon in Madrid
40:16|Last month, Mickey-Jo travelled to Madrid in Spain to see major productions of some of the world's most iconic and well-loved musicals: Los Miserables, Wicked and The Book of Mormon.Two of these productions were non-replica stagings, with entirely new creative teams bringing their own vision to the story, and all were performed entirely in Spanish, by Spanish performers.Check out this triple bill review for Mickey-Jo's thoughts on each of these musicals including his opinion on how they were received, translated and portrayed.•00:00 | introduction01:36 | Los Miserables13:56 | Wicked26:34 | The Book of Mormon29:04 | conclusioncheck out Mickey-Jo's brand new substack newsletter:www.mickeyjotheatre.substack.com