The Labours seem to be presented for Hercules to be able to live with the gods on Mount Olympus, his godly status having been lost after he was stolen and abandoned as a baby on the orders of Hades. Trevor Dion Nicholas is magnificent and full of fun as the trainer Philocteles, here called Phil, who is asked to support our hero.  The choreography of the gods at play holding their spears is mostly in the opening scenes but in the second act I enjoyed the switch to traditional Zorba type dance, hands on shoulders, all footwork followed by a handkerchief dance.

The character of Meg has been influenced by a feminist agenda so she is extra feisty and has no need of a man.  However she is critical for Hercules in obtaining god status.  Alan Menken, who has composed for eight Disney movies besides Hercules, writes pleasant music but here it is over amplified on many occasions.  I did like the costumes, especially the finale in gold soldier uniforms where Hercules wears a white skirt beneath his gold breast plate. 

Luke Brady makes for an appealing hero figure and he can sing strongly as can Mae Ann Jorolan as Meg but I really liked Stephen Carlisle’s villain Hades.  Sadly I will not be buying tickets to Hercules to take my granddaughters as I did for Frozen, I think they’d prefer Matilda!