Of Men and Beasts
Of Men and Beasts by Heracles is a show at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2026, performing at theSpace @ Niddry St. It has 12 performances listed, running from Mon 17 Aug, 12:30 to Sat 29 Aug, 12:30. The run has finished — every listed performance has taken place.
About this show
Acclaimed Kiwi theatre company's international premiere of this powerful, original folk musical shedding new light on untouched aspects of one of mythology’s greatest figures: his struggle with his darker self, his fraught relationship with Hera, Queen of the Gods. Four characters explore a timeless question. Who are we when no one is watching: hero, man, beast or god? Greek folklore blended with 1940s Hollywood aesthetic through a highly innovative live-looping musical landscape where one musician creates the sound of a full band. Cast album featuring ten original songs on all main streaming platforms.
Details
- Performer: Heracles
- Venue: theSpace @ Niddry St
- Space: Upper Theatre
- Genre: OPERA, Musical theatre, Folk
- Country: NEW ZEALAND
- Running time: 60 minutes
- Room size: about 92 seats (Upper Theatre) — the Fringe box office sells a share of the room, not all of it
- Performances listed: 12, of which 0 still to come and on sale
Accessibility
- Wheelchair access: lift
- Access features: Step-free access, Accessible toilet
- Venue notes: Accessible entry: Access via ground level entrance; then up one floor in a standard passenger lift. Wheelchair access type:Lift (Building Lift) Stairs: None Number of stairs is provided as guidance and is not in addition to any wheelchair access type (lift/ramp etc) stated above.
What the reviewers said
We have captured 5 published reviews and 19 audience reviews for this show from the Edinburgh Festival Fringe’s own listing. The excerpts below are the reviewers’ words, not ours — follow each link for the full review.
The show’s undisputed engine is its innovative audio landscape. Composer and lyricist Ollie Howlett stands at one corner of the in-the-round staging, utilising live-looping on guitar, keyboards, and effects to build a…
— Beyond the Curtain (4 out of 5 stars)
Overall, this was a very ambitious piece, and the cast and creative team have done a wonderful job of producing a cohesive and poetic production rooted in mythology.
The creativity and intelligence of their previous work continue to shine through this production, and Heracles: Of Men and Beasts is an entertaining and thoroughly enjoyable hour.
— Broadway Baby (4 out of 5 stars)
Performance dates and ticket availability
- Mon 17 Aug, 12:30 — Already performed — £10.00
- Tue 18 Aug, 12:30 — Already performed — £10.00
- Wed 19 Aug, 12:30 — Already performed — £10.00
- Thu 20 Aug, 12:30 — Already performed — £10.00
- Fri 21 Aug, 12:30 — Already performed — £11.00
- Sat 22 Aug, 12:30 — Already performed — £11.00
- Sun 23 Aug, 12:30 — Already performed — £11.00
- Mon 24 Aug, 12:30 — Already performed — £10.00
- Wed 26 Aug, 12:30 — Already performed — £10.00
- Thu 27 Aug, 12:30 — Already performed — £10.00
- Fri 28 Aug, 12:30 — Already performed — £11.00
- Sat 29 Aug, 12:30 — Already performed — £11.00