A large bear costume character and two performers stand in a brightly lit wrestling ring with “Hercules” on the apron, surrounded by stage lights.

Three actors perform on stage; one wears a clown costume and gestures dramatically, another pushes a red box car like Hercules the Bear, while the third pretends to drive, all beneath bright stage lights.

Two people interact with a brown furry puppet that resembles a dog, set against a blue and white striped backdrop, evoking the playful spirit of Hercules the Bear.

Hercules the Bear

Tue 30 Sep 2025

Venue: Studio Theatre

Log in

Hercules The Bear is inspired by the incredible true story of a 10-foot grizzly bear raised by two human parents!

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.

Three actors perform on stage; one wears a clown costume and gestures dramatically, another pushes a red box car like Hercules the Bear, while the third pretends to drive, all beneath bright stage lights.

Two people interact with a brown furry puppet that resembles a dog, set against a blue and white striped backdrop, evoking the playful spirit of Hercules the Bear.

Two people pose with Hercules the Bear; one flexes in athletic wear, the other smiles in a tracksuit, all against a lit studio backdrop.

Two people pose with someone in a lion costume. One wears a tracksuit and smiles; the other, dressed in athletic gear, playfully pretends to have their head in the lion’s mouth like Hercules the Bear wrestling his famous foe.

Two performers pose with Hercules the Bear, a large bear puppet, onstage, smiling and playfully interacting with him in a brightly lit theater setting.

Three actors perform on stage; one wears a clown costume and gestures dramatically, another pushes a red box car like Hercules the Bear, while the third pretends to drive, all beneath bright stage lights.

Two people interact with a brown furry puppet that resembles a dog, set against a blue and white striped backdrop, evoking the playful spirit of Hercules the Bear.

Two people pose with Hercules the Bear; one flexes in athletic wear, the other smiles in a tracksuit, all against a lit studio backdrop.

Two people pose with someone in a lion costume. One wears a tracksuit and smiles; the other, dressed in athletic gear, playfully pretends to have their head in the lion’s mouth like Hercules the Bear wrestling his famous foe.

Two performers pose with Hercules the Bear, a large bear puppet, onstage, smiling and playfully interacting with him in a brightly lit theater setting.

Fergus Dunnet

Lead Artist

Emily Reutlinger

Co-Director

Suzie Ferguson

Performer/DDevisor

Diane Thornton

Performer/Devisor

Ben Winger

Performer/Devisor

Kate Bonney

Sound Designer

Padruig Morrison

Composer

Jennie Loof

Costume Design

Gretchen Maynard-Hahn

Puppet Co-designer

Julia Darrouy

Design Assistant

Fi Fraser

Production Manager

Sarah Gray

Producer

Tanya Mclaughlin

Assistant Producer

Judy Stewart

Stage Manager

Mervyn Millar

Puppet Consultant

John Wright

Clown & Devising Consultant

Eoin Carey

Production Photos

Eragona Communications

Marketing

Storytelling PR

PR

Performance details

Show times: Evening; 6pm
Running time: 50 minutes
Age suitability: 6+

Discounts

Friends 20% off – Read more about the Friends discount

Children £2 off.

Accessibility information

We believe theatre is for everyone

We want to make your visit as easy and enjoyable as possible.

More information