Taking its cue from Greek mythology, Anaïs Mitchell's Hadestown is an American fable influenced by New Orleans-style jazz. Among the West End leads, however, Dónal Finn (Orpheus) is Irish, Grace Hodgett Young (Eurydice) is from the Midlands and Melanie La Barrie (Hermes) is Trinidadian. All use their natural accents to excellent effect, which heightens the timeless and universal qualities of the story. Nevertheless, it feels fitting that Zachary James's megalomaniac wall-building Hades is the American!

If you fell in love with the aural experience of the cast album, the band sounds divine under Tarek Merchant's musical direction and trombonist Daniel Higham comes close to stealing the show! 

Grace Hodgett Young (Eurydice), Melanie La Barrie (Hermes) and Dónal Finn (Orpheus) (Credit: Marc Brenner)Gloria Onitiri (Persephone) and the company (Credit: Marc Brenner)Zachary James (Hades) and the company (Credit: Marc Brenner)Dónal Finn and Grace Hodgett-Young as Orpheus and Eurydice (Credit: Marc Brenner)