Anaïs Mitchell’s new musical Hadestown receives a UK premiere at the National Theatre, starring Miss Saigon star Eva Noblezada, prior to a highly-anticipated Broadway run. Developed alongside Rachel Chavkin, the electrifying musical is based on the popular myth of Orpheus and Eurydice, catapulted into the contemporary with thrilling themes of love, fear and trust.
The Greek myth of Orpheus and its several versions has provided writers with inspiration for centuries. Folk singer-songwriter Anaïs Mitchell’s concept album Hadestown places the lovers in the centre of America’s Great Depression, as they seek a way out of the poverty that is debilitating the nation. The Underworld is a factory, and the trust the couple has for each other might save them – but is this enough?
New York Theatre Workshop staged the new musical in 2016, with a Canadian production following the year after. Hadestown is set to make its Broadway debut in 2019, with its prior runs earning serious praise from audiences and critics alike.
Stellar casting includes Sharif Afifi, Reeve Carney, André De Shields, Carly Dyer, Rosie Fletcher, Amber Gray, Beth Hinton-Lever, Eva Noblezada, Seyi Omooba, Gloria Onitiri, Patrick Page, Aiesha Pease, Joseph Prouse, Jordan Shaw and Shaq Taylor.
The production is directed by Rachel Chavkin, who garnered much acclaim for her work on Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812. She is also founding artistic director of The TEAM. Anaïs Mitchell first presented Hadestown in 2006, and the album was later released in 2010. Creative team for the National Theatre includes set designer Rachel Hauck, costumer designer Michael Krass, lighting designer Bradley King and sound designer Nevin Steinberg, as well as choreographer David Neumann.
A show that approaches musical theatre from a unique angle, Hadestown is an innovative development in musical theatre and one that is a great experiment in programming for National Theatre Artistic Director Rufus Norris. Hadestown runs at the Olivier Theatre from 2 November 2018 to 26 January 2019, with a press night on 13 November 2018.
This show was phenomenal and my only gripe was that I saw it so late in its run that I wasn't able to go back and watch it again. About two songs in, it was already my second favourite musical ever and I still am listening to it borderline religiousl Read more