Theatre Royal Brighton – 30th September – 4th October 2025
The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical has landed in Brighton with energy, heart and mythological mayhem. Based on Rick Riordan’s bestselling novel, the show follows Percy Jackson, a teenager who discovers he’s the son of a god and finds himself caught up in a quest to prevent a war among the gods.
With a pop rock score and a cast that gives it their all, it’s a production that isn’t short of charm, though it occasionally struggles to balance its ambitions with its resources.
Percy is a misfit at school, grappling with dyslexia and ADHD, and life becomes even more complicated when monsters begin to chase him. After a family tragedy, he’s sent off to Camp Half-Blood, where young demigods train to survive the dangers of the world. With his satyr best friend Grover and Annabeth, daughter of Athena, Percy embarks on a cross-country adventure to recover Zeus’s missing lightning bolt.
Performances are a real highlight across the board. Vasco Emauz leads as Percy and gives the character both humour and heart. He captures the awkwardness of a teenager suddenly thrust into extraordinary circumstances, while also showing the grit and bravery that make Percy such a compelling hero. His vocals are strong and full of emotion, carrying both the quieter reflective numbers and the bigger anthems with equal power.
Cahir O’Neill brings huge warmth to Grover. He’s naturally funny, but there’s nothing one-dimensional about his performance. His soaring vocals and gentle sincerity make Grover’s loyalty to Percy feel utterly believable, and he lights up the stage whenever he appears.
As Annabeth, Kayna Montecillo is sharp, commanding and very watchable. She nails the character’s determination and intelligence, and her vocals match her presence. Together, Montecillo, O’Neill and Emauz share excellent chemistry, giving the central trio the kind of spark that keeps the audience invested in their quest.
The supporting cast also make their mark. Simone Robinson brings depth and warmth to Sally Jackson, alongside several other roles, and her vocals are some of the most impressive of the evening. Niall Sheehy shows great range as Mr Brunner and a host of other characters, slipping between comic moments and more serious turns with ease. The ensemble as a whole provide much of the show’s momentum, throwing themselves into multiple parts with infectious energy and helping the world of Percy Jackson feel alive and varied.
What sets the musical apart is its sincerity. Rather than going for sleek polish or blockbuster spectacle, it embraces a scrappy, homemade charm that fits Percy’s underdog story perfectly. The set design is simple but imaginative, using projections, clever lighting and movable props to conjure up everything.
Musically, the score is fun, if not always memorable. The songs have a punchy rock feel and include witty lyrics, though not every number lands with equal force. Some tunes soar, particularly the anthems that allow characters to belt out their frustrations and hopes. Others feel more functional, moving the plot along rather than sticking in the head on the way out of the theatre.
The show’s biggest challenge lies in its storytelling. The first act sets the scene nicely, but the second half sometimes feels as if it’s sprinting to cover too much ground. Percy and his friends race across America, meet a range of colourful characters and confront the climactic showdown in what feels like the blink of an eye. Fans of the books will recognise every beat, but newcomers may occasionally be left wishing for more breathing space. It’s a classic case of trying to fit a sprawling novel into a two-hour runtime, and some emotional beats risk being skimmed over.
That said, the heart of The Lightning Thief remains intact. The themes of identity, belonging and learning to embrace one’s differences shine through. The humour lands well and the warmth of the performances keeps the audience engaged even when the plot feels a bit rushed.
Overall, The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical is a lively, good-natured adaptation that captures the spirit of Riordan’s beloved story. Its mixture of heartfelt performances, strong vocals, playful staging and youthful energy makes for a very entertaining show and the audience is loving it.
The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical review – 4 stars
Photo credit: Johan Perrson
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