The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical at Milton Keynes Theatre Review

DISCLOSURE – TICKETS TO SEE THE SHOW WERE GIFTED TO THE REVIEWER AND GUEST FOR THE PURPOSES OF WRITING THE REVIEW

Reviewed by Janine Rumble

Last night, I attended Milton Keynes Theatre to watch the production of The Lightning Thief-The Percy Jackson Musical. Having never read any of the books by Rick Riordan or seen the film, I really was not sure what to expect, but what I saw was a high-octane, high-energy performances from all the actors, whose singing was just superb and really made the show. Judging by the many youngsters and teenagers in the audience, The Percy Jackson Musical has a large fan base with both youngsters and teenagers alike and their family members who accompany them.

The show captures humour, teenage angst and action scenes, all set to catchy tunes, sung amazingly by the young cast. I soon realised that the premise of the musical is about a boy, named Percy Jackson, who, after a field trip to a museum about Greece and Greek Gods, discovers that his life is going to change forever as he discovers his lineage of as a demi-God and the son of a Greek God.

As an adult, I could marvel at the technicality, actor performances, scenery, etc, but felt that the story for me was a bit rushed and scenes, which could have been amazing and used great effects, suddenly felt a bit of a let down. I know it is tricky to show a bus crash and fight scenes and battles on a stage, but they just felt a bit rushed, not much build up and then it was over as quick as it began. Saying this, some parts were very cleverly done, such as the minotaur, where different objects were put together to resemble the mighty minotaur and how they portrayed Medusa with her head of snakes.

As a child/teenager, I can see how they can become engrossed in the world of Percy Jackson, troubled teenager, with a thirst for adventure, who comes to find out that his father was actually a famous Greek god. The musical follows Percy’s shocking discovery of his lineage, to meeting other demi-Gods like himself, before joining up with them to track down the lightning thief.

The songs told the story and the singing from each of the actors was amazing. They were all superb singers, both when singing individually and as an ensemble. The cast deserves credit for pouring themselves into their roles. Percy, performed by Vasco Emauz, our reluctant hero, is portrayed with a mix of snark and sincerity that works well for a teenage protagonist. The actors playing Annabeth, Kana Montecillo and Grover, Cahir O’Neill, provide comic relief and heart, and they succeed in embodying characters that younger fans will immediately recognise.

The score is full of upbeat rock numbers and catchy choruses, clearly designed to keep the energy level high. Songs like Percy’s opening number carry a rebellious edge, while Annabeth’s solo shows her steely resolve.

The costumes are playful and clever. Monsters and gods are brought to life with imaginative things like puppetry, oversized props, and bold colours. It’s charming in its own way and certainly adds humour, especially the scene where the three friends are lost in New Jersey and find that they are being chased by monsters. The costume of the centaur and the goat are also very clever.

The staging follows the same scrappy approach. Sets are minimal, often relying on lighting shifts and multipurpose props to suggest different locations. There are clever uses of projection and movement to create a sense of adventure, especially in the quest scenes. The battles with mythological creatures are staged more like playful skits than intense fights, which again keeps things light and humorous. While effective for its target audience, it can feel underwhelming for those expecting a more immersive or visually striking production.

Overall, The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical is a spirited show that will absolutely delight its intended audience: younger fans of the books and families looking for a fun night out. It’s filled with energy, humour, and clever creativity. For me, I was truly impressed by all the actors in the ensemble cast and their talents but was not wowed by the story. If you are a Percy Jackson fan, then I highly recommend going to see the musical. If you are a fan of a good musical and love a catchy tune, then I recommend seeing the musical.

I give the show 4/5 for the talent and creativity of all involved.

Rating: 4/5

The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical is on at Milton Keynes Theatre until 7th September. Tickets are priced from £15.00 and can be purchased from the theatre or online from www.atgtickets.com
The show is touring till the 1st of November 2025.