The novel The Lightning Thief was written in 2005 by Rick Riordan and concerns a teenage boy, Percy Jackson, who discovers that he is a demi-god and embarks on a quest to find Zeus’ missing lightning bolt in order to prevent war amongst the Greek Gods. The musical was first staged off-Broadway, lasting one hour, before touring the USA in 2014. In 2017 it was expanded into a full-length musical and eventually staged on Broadway for sixteen weeks in early 2020. It received its first UK professional production at London’s Other Palace Theatre in 2023, and it is this production which is at Theatre Royal Brighton this week, and most enjoyable it is, mainly owing to the energy, exuberance and commitment of the fourteen-strong ensemble cast.
Vasco Emauz is Percy, played in Lizzi Gee’s inventive production not as a twelve-year-old as in the novels, but several years older. He has a winning personality and quickly engages with the audience. Not only is he very convincing in role, he also has an attractive singing voice and is a lithe dancer. All these are very necessary as he holds the show together, being on stage for almost the entire time.
There is no ‘love interest’ as such, but Kayna Montecillo imbues the role of Annabeth, one of Percy’s friends who follows him to the Underworld, with charm and personality, as well as demonstrating an attractive voice and fluent movement. The other friend of Percy who accompanies him on his quest is Cahir O’Neill as Grover, exhibiting real dynamism in role.
Others who particularly impress include Aidan Cutler as Mr D and Simone Robinson as Sally Jackson: with such a powerful singing voice, it is a shame that her enunciation is not clearer.
However, the real star of the show is director and choreographer Lizzi Gee; she has ensured that the whole production is imbued with terrific pace and vitality, only flagging towards the ends of both acts when there is too much plot to cram in! Ryan Dawson Laight has designed a very imaginative set, referencing, as he says in a programme note, ‘an underground system of water pipes and tunnels directly under the city of Los Angeles – a rusty metal and concrete world…‘. Tim Deiling has designed some very atmospheric lighting, ever-changing, which enhances both set and costumes and ensures that audience interest rarely flags. He has been aided by some inventive videos by Matt Powell and illusions by Richard Pinner.
The fights, directed by Lisa Connell, have a passion and zest about them which really suit the whole production concept. The excellent band, hidden on stage, is under the direction of Will Joy. It is a shame that the bass drum is often too intrusive in Dan Samson’s sound design and that the dialogue is ‘miked up’ as high as it is, meaning that the whole show is louder than it need be and that there are never any quieter moments which would make the noisier moments more effective!
Rob Rokicki’s rock-inspired music is pleasant if unmemorable and I would suggest a basic knowledge of either the original novel and/or of Greek mythology should you wish to understand the plot, but the audience at the performance I attended were clearly not bothered about that! A fun evening – recommended!
Review by John Groves
When New York City teenager Percy Jackson discovers that he is the half-blood son of the Greek god, Poseidon, his life takes a dramatic turn as he is plunged into a world much bigger than he could possibly have imagined.
With newly discovered powers he is unable to control, an unwanted destiny and a whole textbook’s worth of mythical monsters on his trail, Percy must learn what it means to be a hero.
The future of the world hangs in the balance as Percy and his friends embark on an epic adventure that will have you on the edge of your seat.
Vasco Emauz – Percy Jackson
Kayna Montecillo – Annabeth
Cahir O’Neill – Grover
Simone Robinson – Sally Jackson
Niall Sheehy – Mr Brunner
Aidan Cutler – Mr D
Ellie-Grace Cousins – Clarisse
Paolo Micallef – Luke
Alex Anderton, Abe Armitage, Joseph Connor, Ellouise Delooze, Becca Francis, Amy McEvoy – Ensemble
Joe Tracz – Book
Rob Rokicki – Music and Lyrics
Lizzi Gee – Director and Choreographer
Ryan Dawson Laight – Set and Costume Designer
Tim Deiling – Lighting Designer
Dan Samson – Sound Designer
Matt Powell – Video Designer
Wiley Deweese and Rob Rokicki – Orchestrations
Jeremy Wootton – Musical Supervisor
Will Joy – Musical Director
Richard Pinner – Illusionist
Lisa Connell – Fight Director
Philip Catchpole- Assistant Director and Choreographer
Christophe Eynde – Associate Set and Costume Designer
THE LIGHTNING THIEF: THE PERCY JACKSON MUSICAL
Theatre Royal Brighton, 30 September to 4 October 2025
UK tour continues to 21 March 2026
