Hercules Brings an Electrifying Burst of Joy to Evelina London Children’s Hospital
Patients, families, and staff at Evelina London Children’s Hospital were treated to an electrifying afternoon of music, movement and movie fun when the West End cast of Hercules made a surprise visit to the hospital followed by a special screening of Disney’s Hercules at the Pop-Up MediCinema at St Thomas’ Hospital.
The visit, part of MediCinema and Disney’s Moments That Matter programme, turned an ordinary weekday into a celebration of creativity, connection, and joy.
Heroic Smiles on the Wards
Cast members, Jordan Livesey (Hades), Ellie Mitchell (Hera), Ope Sawande (Phil), Mae Ann Joralan (Meg), took to the wards meeting young patients who were unable to leave their bays. Disney teaching artists led a series of music and movement sessions featuring songs from Hercules giving children an opportunity to join in with the show’s hit-numbers and to find their own super powers.
These bedside moments were filled with laughter and music with the performers answering questions about their characters and life behind the scenes in London’s newest hit musical.
Parents and staff described the visit as transformative.
Sienna loved the visit. The cast members came right to her bedside and it was such a brilliant distraction from being in hospital. She loved singing along with the teaching artists and meeting the characters, she hasn’t stopped talking about Megana's amazing purple dress since!
Claire, mum of patient Sienna
![get_sub_field('image')['alt']](https://www.medicinema.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/20260324_141128-768x1024.jpg)
‘Zero to Hero’ in the Hospital Atrium
Following the ward visits, patients and their loved ones gathered around the grand piano in the Evelina London Children’s Hospital atrium for a special meet and greet with the cast followed by more music and movement with the teaching artists. The children were then presented with a special Hercules gift to take away as memento.
A Cinematic Escape in the MediCinema
The day culminated in a special screening at the Pop-Up MediCinema at St Thomas’ Hospital, where families enjoyed the Disney classic Hercules, giving them precious respite from the challenges of being on a ward. Some of the children who had taken part in the visit earlier in the day practised their newly-learned moves during the screening.
A Cast With a Whole Lot of Heart
The Hercules performers expressed how honoured they felt to meet the children and see the impact of MediCinema’s work first-hand.
I was truly inspired by the courageous and brave young people I had the pleasure of meeting at St Thomas’ hospital. The enjoyment and excitement we were met with was a feeling I’ll never forget. I’m eternally grateful for this opportunity.
Ope Sowande who plays 'Phil' in Hercules the Musical
![get_sub_field('image')['alt']](https://www.medicinema.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/20260324_153336-scaled-e1774612266606-1000x1024.jpg)
From left to right: Ope Sawande (Phil), Mae Ann Joralan (Meg), Teddy (patient), Ellie Mitchell (Hera), Jordan Livesey (Hades),
