Don’t you love a tall tale? Like the one about the Scottish couple who raised a 10ft grizzly bear in their home? Sounds crazy, but it’s no joke. It happened in Sheriffmuir in the 1980s! Combining physical comedy and puppetry, Hercules the Bear tells the wild, funny and touching true story of how a very special grizzly bear became a folk legend.
Hercules the Bear previewed at The Gaiety Theatre, Ayr and premiered at Carinish Village Hall, North Uist, in September 2024 to sold-out audiences. The production toured Scotland in Autumn 2025, with support from Creative Scotland’s Touring Fund for Theatre and Dance. We played to audiences at The Gaiety Theatre, Ayr; The Studio, Edinburgh; Birnam Arts, Dunkeld; Lanternhouse, Studio Theatre, Cumbernauld (BSL Interpreted); Strathearn Arts, Crieff; Catstrand, New Galloway (BSL Interpreted); Paisley Arts Centre; Platform, Easterhouse; Eastwood Park, Giffnock (BSL Interpreted); Carinish Village Hall, North Uist; An Lanntair Arts Centre, Stornoway; Eden Court Theatre, Inverness; Victoria Hall, Cromarty; The Barn Arts, Banchory; Victoria Hall, Dunblane; Aytoun Hall, Auchterarder; Woodside Fountain Community Centre, Aberdeen.
This interactive production is nothing short of ingenious. It does everything good theatre should. A real winner! (Radio Summerhall Arts)
This is an intensely Scottish tale told with great skill and understanding. ★★★★ (SNACK mag)
Enchanting production. The puppetry is the production’s crowning achievement. (Corr blimey)
The giant grizzly is astonishing. It’s all great fun, prompting squeals of delight from young audience members throughout. (The Stage)
Theatrical delight. (The Herald)
Entertaining and engaging. A truly accessible piece. (alledinburghtheatre.com)
Low-fi comedy genius (the Quinntessential review)
★★★★★ I’d give it 10 out of 10, I loved the stage and when the bear was a baby he was sooo cute. When Hercules got bigger the costume was brilliant as well, I loved it all. (Georgie – age 10- Mix up Theatre)
