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

For adults, and for adults without the requisite child of a certain age in the family, the world of Percy Jackson may have passed you by. However, since the first book was published back in 2005, the Jackson tales have become a phenomenon with the correct age bracket. There are now several books, films, a TV series, and, of course, this musical. The Lightning Thief, which is landing on its 2025/26 UK tour at Milton Keynes Theatre this week.

This musical is based on the first book and tells the story of Percy, a teenager who discovers he is more than just an average kid and learns that his missing father is Poseidon, the god of the sea. So, when Percy is packed off to a camp for demigods, an adventure is not far behind to find Zeus’s stolen lightning bolt. And the scene is set for a musical of mystical and magical adventures.

The Lightning Thief is an intense and action-packed piece of theatre filled with many young and talented stage stars. The leader is Vasco Emauz, the eponymous hero. His Percy is a spirited one, awkward and outcast from many a school, struggling to fit into life until that one day when his true calling and his father are revealed.

Along for the adventure is the sprightly Annabeth, played with intensity and immense likability by Kayna Montecillo, and with a little nicely underplayed emotional connection brewing with Percy. Also along for the adventure is the hugely funny Grover by Cahir O'Neill, revealed to be a little more than the average guy himself.

The supporting cast brings a multitude of characters to the stage during the journey, with particular note Aiden Cutler's fabulously funny Mr D and Niall Sheehy's authoritative Mr Brunner. Simone Robinson also brings several highly polished characters to the stage throughout the show.

Ryan Dawson Laight's industrial metallic set offers an interesting, if not quite appropriate, backdrop to the scenes. However, upon it are cast video projections designed by Matt Powell, allowing some clarity to the scenes.

The music, a key component of this production, is excellent, featuring many original and catchy songs by Rob Rokicki; these often form the show's highlight. Songs such as The Campfire Song, Another Terrible Day and the cracking D.O.A. offer an intriguing and constant inventiveness to the show. They are performed well by the cast, if occasionally overpitched, but the band in particular, led by Will Joy, is first class.

Direction from Lizzi Gee keeps the action moving, and her choreography also constantly challenges the cast and brings much variety to the stage, often using the entire company in group numbers. Also, a few neat little tricks from illusionist Richard Pinner bring some surprises to the magical story.

The Lightning Thief is a curious show, full of energy and constantly reinvigorating itself. It also keeps the audience intrigued, particularly the target audience of kids in the crowd. However, as a complete package, it falls short of being a first-class show, but is still recommended for the many fans of Percy Jackson.

A mystical and magical adventure for all the family.
⭐⭐⭐

Performance reviewed: Wednesday 3rd September 2025 at the Milton Keynes Theatre, Milton Keynes.

The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical runs at Milton Keynes Theatre until Saturday, 6th September 2025.

For further details about Milton Keynes, see their website at http://www.atgtickets.com/venues/milton-keynes-theatre/

Photographs: Johan Persson

Review of Cruel Intentions: The '90s Musical at Royal & Derngate (Derngate), Northampton

Cruel Intentions , released in the final year of the nineties, is a fondly regarded classic from the era, rammed with a collection of young and up-and-coming stars. Based on the classic Les Liaisons dangereuses , Roger Kumble's nineties update was clever and current; however, a quarter of a century later and now playing at Royal & Derngate, does it still work, and more importantly, does it work as a musical? The quick answer to the latter is no, but theatre persists, so what about the story? Kumble's adaptation tells of two wealthy step-siblings, Sebastian Valmont and Kathryn Merteul, sex-obsessed, constantly warring, and attracted to one another. When they begin a bet for Sebastian to deflower the new headmaster's daughter, Annette Hargrove, before the start of term, events spiral quickly out of control. Following in the footsteps of the well-remembered performers from the film does weigh on the cast. Will Callan, playing Sebastian, and Nic Myers, as Kathryn, are fine ...

Review of Annie at Milton Keynes Theatre

Annie was first performed now a remarkable fifty years ago at Goodspeed Opera House in Connecticut, and since then, the tale based on a 1920s comic strip and adapted for the stage by Thomas Meehan on book, with music by Charles Strouse, and lyrics provided by Martin Charnin, has become a perennial favourite across the world. Indeed, this version, directed by Nikolai Foster, last appeared at Milton Keynes Theatre in 2023. So, after all these years, does Annie still have that appeal? Set in 1930s New York during the Great Depression, Annie follows the life of an orphan abandoned to the care of its evil matron, Miss Hannigan. Annie seeks escape, and after one failed attempt, she finds herself the chosen Christmas guest of billionaire Oliver Warbucks, and things slowly, hopefully begin to improve for the little but fiercely strong Annie. Leading the adult cast for this tour now as the cruel Miss Hannigan is Claire Sweeney. Sweeney clearly revels in the chance to embr...

Review of Lord of the Dance at Milton Keynes Theatre

On what was so far the hottest day of the year, and the highest in many a record book, it feels a tad evil to watch as a group of extremely talented performers bring to the stage one of the most famous and most energetic dance shows to tour. However, arriving now at Milton Keynes Theatre, as part of what is now the still rather immodestly titled 30 Years of Standing Ovations tour, Lord of the Dance remains full of energy even on the hottest of evenings in Milton Keynes. I last and first saw Lord of the Dance as part of the 25 Years of Standing Ovations tour, four years ago (yes, the sums don’t quite work), and it was every bit as spectacular as you could imagine this world-famous dance show is. Born into the world from Michael Flatley and the Riverdance spectacular that preceded it, Lord of the Dance is a simple but effective battle between good and evil and the resolution of it through dance rather than fighting. The dancing here is, as expected, exceptional, led by the Lord of the...

A Small Mind At The Theatre

Search This Blog