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 Scottish 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, supported by Creative Scotland’s Touring Fund for Theatre and Dance.
Scottish Tour Venues: 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), and Woodside Fountain Community Centre (Aberdeen).
Critical Acclaim & Reviews:
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ '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 Magazine
'The giant grizzly is astonishing. It’s all great fun, prompting squeals of delight from young audience members throughout.' — The Stage
'Enchanting production. The puppetry is the production’s crowning achievement.' — Corr Blimey
'A theatrical delight... entertaining and engaging, a truly accessible piece.' — The Herald
