Hadestown: Book Tickets Now

See Hadestown at the Lyric Theatre on Shaftesbury Avenue, a few minutes' walk from Piccadilly Circus in the heart of the West End.

Good to Know About Hadestown

Running time is about 2 hours 30 minutes: That includes an interval.

Recommended for ages 8 and over: Under-15s must be accompanied by an adult aged 18 or over and seated next to them.

Smoke, haze and strobe-like effects run through the show: The producers flag these for the whole performance, not just one scene.

Tuesday and Wednesday evening shows start at 7pm: Other evenings begin at 7.30pm, and matinees play on Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays.

The theatre opens about 45 minutes before curtain: Bars and the auditorium open at the same time.

Step-free access reaches the Dress Circle only: It is through the access entrance on Shaftesbury Avenue. Arrive at the main entrance and staff will take you round.

A hearing system is available: Sennheiser receivers are lent on a first come, first served basis. The system is not Bluetooth compatible.

Families are catered for: There is a buggy park in the Dress Circle boxes, booster seats are available on each level, and baby changing is in the accessible toilet.

About Hadestown

Hadestown sets two Greek myths side by side. Orpheus, a poor young songwriter, falls for Eurydice, a drifter who has known little but hunger and cold. When a harsh winter arrives, she takes up an offer of work from Hades, who runs an industrial underworld where his workers build a great wall, and Orpheus goes down after her. Above them sits the second love story: the worn-down marriage of Hades and his wife Persephone, who spends part of every year on Earth. Hermes narrates, and three Fates keep watch.

Anaïs Mitchell wrote the music, lyrics and book, and Rachel Chavkin directs. The score blends American folk with New Orleans-style jazz and blues, played by a band on stage.

Interesting Facts About Hadestown

Hadestown started life in 2006 as a small community theatre project in Barre, Vermont, Anaïs Mitchell's home state.

Before it became a full stage musical, Mitchell released the songs as a concept album in 2010.

The stage version she developed with Rachel Chavkin premiered Off-Broadway at New York Theatre Workshop in May 2016.

London saw it before Broadway did: the National Theatre staged the UK premiere from November 2018 to January 2019.

It opened on Broadway at the Walter Kerr Theatre on 17 April 2019 and has since become the longest-running production in that theatre's history.

At the 2019 Tony Awards it had more nominations than any other show, 14 in all, and won eight, including Best Musical and Best Original Score. Chavkin won Best Direction.

The Broadway cast recording won the Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album.

The West End production began at the Lyric Theatre on 10 February 2024. From September 2026 the cast includes Nathan Sykes of The Wanted as Orpheus, in his professional stage debut.

Hadestown - Highlights in Pictures

Lyric Theatre

29 Shaftesbury Avenue, London, W1D 7ES, close to Piccadilly Circus

938 seats across four levels: Stalls, Dress Circle, Grand Circle and Balcony

Opened on 17 December 1888 as a home for operetta, designed by C.J. Phipps for producer Henry Leslie; it is the oldest surviving theatre on Shaftesbury Avenue

Owned by Nimax Theatres since 2005; earlier tenants include the original production of Blood Brothers and Thriller Live!, which stayed for 13 years

Getting There

By Tube
By Bus
By Car

By Tube

Piccadilly Circus, on the Bakerloo and Piccadilly lines, is the closest station and only a few minutes away on foot.

Leicester Square (Northern and Piccadilly lines) is also close, and Charing Cross is the nearest National Rail station.

Lyric Theatre - Facilities and Accessibility

The Lyric has bars and toilets on all four levels. None of the bars has level access, but staff can bring drinks, snacks and merchandise to your seat. The main entrance is four steps up from the street, and the Stalls are 24 steps down from the foyer.

Wheelchair spaces and transfer seats are in the Dress Circle boxes on the left of the auditorium, reached step-free from the access entrance on Shaftesbury Avenue. The box doors are 73cm wide.
An accessible unisex toilet is on the Dress Circle level.
Access bookers can buy up to two seats at half price, covering wheelchair spaces, aisle seats and central rows.
Assistance dogs are welcome if booked in advance, and staff can dog-sit up to two dogs per performance.

FAQs about Hadestown at Lyric Theatre

What is Hadestown about?

The musical retells the myths of Orpheus and Eurydice and of Hades and Persephone. Eurydice, cold and hungry, accepts work in Hades' industrial underworld, and Orpheus sets out to bring her home.

How long is Hadestown?

About 2 hours 30 minutes, including an interval.

What age guidance applies to Hadestown?

Recommended for ages 8 and over. Under-15s must be accompanied by an adult aged 18 or over and seated next to them.

Are there content warnings for Hadestown?

Yes. The production uses smoke, haze and strobe-like effects throughout.

Who created Hadestown?

Anaïs Mitchell wrote the music, lyrics and book. Rachel Chavkin directs, and David Neumann choreographs.

What time does Hadestown start?

Most evening shows start at 7.30pm, but Tuesday and Wednesday evenings start at 7pm. Matinees are on Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays.

Are there accessible performances?

Yes. Coming up are a BSL-interpreted matinee on 14 November 2026, an audio described matinee on 28 November 2026 and a captioned matinee on 5 December 2026.

Is the Lyric Theatre wheelchair accessible?

Step-free access is to the Dress Circle only, via the access entrance on Shaftesbury Avenue. Wheelchair spaces are in the Dress Circle boxes, and the box doors are 73cm wide.

Is there hearing assistance at the Lyric Theatre?

Yes. A Sennheiser radio system is available on a first come, first served basis. It is not Bluetooth compatible.

What is the nearest tube station to the Lyric Theatre?

Piccadilly Circus, on the Bakerloo and Piccadilly lines, a few minutes' walk away.

Which bus routes serve the theatre?

Routes 14, 19 and 38 run along Shaftesbury Avenue past the theatre.

Is there parking near the Lyric Theatre?

The theatre is inside the Congestion Charge zone and the ULEZ. Nearby car parks include JustPark at Trafalgar Square, NCP Brewer Street and Titan Leicester Square.