It’s always a joy to see a touring musical at the Theatre Royal. This week, The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson musical is on stage, a fantastic show where angsty American teenagehood meets Greek mythology.
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Rick Riordan’s Percy Jackson books have been around for 20 years now, with the wildly successful first book having been adapted into a film (mediocre) and a TV show (recommended – you can catch it on Disney Plus.) The story features Percy Jackson, a young misfit with ADHD and dyslexia who discovers he is the son of the Greek god Poseidon, joins a summer camp for the children of gods and sets out on a quest with his two best friends to go to Hades (located in LA) and recover Zeus’ stolen lightning bolt.
It’s the kind of epic tale that could easily not translate well to the stage, but the story has been expertly streamlined and races along energetically, helped by a stupendous pop rock score and deliciously fun songs by Rob Rokicki. The book writer, Joe Tracz, previously wrote cult favourite Be More Chill and The Lightning Thief shares its spirited teenage sensibility and quirky heart.
The Lightning Thief looks and sounds amazing – an ingenious set that references tunnels below Los Angeles draws us into a world that’s harsh and mysterious, rearranging seamlessly to situate us in Camp Half-Blood, bus rides, forests and the other various stages of Percy’s epic journey across a mythology-infused America. Some stage effects are truly exciting – a pen that turns into a sword, for example, and trainers that float. Other plot beats that work well on the screen – sword fights, a battle with a minotaur – lose some of their impact on the stage, and I’m not sure the costume of Chiron the centaur truly gave him the dignity the character warrants.
Vasco Emauz as Percy delivers moody rebelliousness and a truly gorgeous vocal performance. Kayna Montecillo’s solo as Annabeth is a highlight, and Simone Robinson is another standout performer, bringing magnetism and stunning singing to a range of characters including Percy’s mum. Nial Sheehy made the house titter with just a stance or a look in the guises particularly of Hades and Poseidon.
All in all, The Lightning Thief is a superb musical and enormous fun. It aims to bring young people into theatres, so round up the young people you know and book your tickets. Whether you’re a Percy Jackson mega-fan or are just discovering the world, this show is a rollicking adventure worth setting out on.
The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson musical is on at the Theatre Royal Brighton until Saturday, October 4.
Tickets: ATG Tickets
Address: New Rd, Brighton and Hove, Brighton BN1 1SD
