From page to stage to full blown phenomenon, THE LIGHTNING THIEF: THE PERCY JACKSON MUSICAL arrives at Wales Millennium Centre this week with the sort of buzz most shows can only dream of. This is not a quiet midweek crowd easing themselves into a story they vaguely know. This is a devoted fanbase, many of them young, many of them returning again and again to the world RICK RIORDAN created, and they bring an energy that crackles long before the house lights fade.
In fact, the excitement begins well before you even reach the auditorium. Long before the first note is played, enormous queues snake around the merchandise stall. Hoodies, badges, posters and shirts are snapped up at speed. It feels more like the foyer of a major arena concert than a traditional theatre night, and that sense of occasion never really lets up.
Little word of warning, that queue continues during the interval, and again after the performance, so allow yourself extra time to get your goodies.
When you finally enter the auditorium, the scale of what you’re about to see hits immediately. The huge stage sits in full view, pulsing with flashes of lightning, sparks and sound effects that rumble through the massive space. There is no attempt to hide the spectacle. This world of gods, monsters and quests is right there, daring us to dive in.
As the fantastic on stage band, hidden behind the upper part of the set, strikes up and the cast pours onto the stage, the energy jumps again. What nobody seems quite prepared for is the reception for our hero. When ABE ARMITAGE makes his entrance as Percy Jackson, the auditorium erupts. Squeals ring out, cheers echo from the balconies, and for a brief moment it feels like you are standing in the middle of a pop gig rather than a musical theatre performance. It is an extraordinary reaction, and Abe rides it with confidence and charm.
To be honest, it took a lot of us along our row by surprise, but it sounded great.
His Percy is exactly what you hope for. Awkward, anxious, funny, and quietly brave. He captures the sense of a young person trying to understand where he fits in the world, wrestling with questions about family, identity and belonging. Abe balances vulnerability and strength beautifully, grounding the show emotionally even as the action around him becomes increasingly epic.
He is supported by a cast who are uniformly excellent. There is no weak link here, which is vital in a show that rarely pauses for breath. The actors switch roles, instruments and physical demands with impressive ease, navigating a challenging set packed with moving elements, illusions and special effects. It would be easy for the storytelling to get lost in the technical wizardry, but the cast keep the focus firmly on character and connection.
Several performances stand out. The actors playing Annabeth (KAYNA MONTECILLO) and Grover (CAHIR O’NEILL) bring warmth, wit and heart, forming a believable and touching trio at the centre of the story. The gods and villains are played with delicious flair, never tipping into caricature, and each musical number feels purposeful rather than decorative. The singing across the company is consistently strong, and the harmonies are particularly impressive given the complexity of the score and staging.
Without giving too much away, the story follows Percy as he discovers that the myths he thought were just stories are very real, and that he has a crucial role to play in a conflict far bigger than himself. Themes of friendship, loyalty, self belief and growing up run through the show, and while it is packed with humour and spectacle, it never talks down to its audience. Younger viewers will find plenty to love, but adults will also recognise the emotional beats and struggles at its core.
The music by ROB ROKICKI blends contemporary musical theatre with rock and pop influences, driven powerfully by the on stage band. Songs land with emotional weight as well as energy, and several numbers draw spontaneous applause mid performance. The choreography is sharp, inventive and perfectly adapted to the ever changing set, which itself deserves special mention. From lightning filled heavens to shadowy underworlds, the design creates a sense of scale and adventure that fills the Donald Gordon stage with ease.
Watch last night’s curtain call HERE.
This is a show that understands its audience and embraces them fully. It knows why people love this story and delivers it with confidence, care and a lot of heart.
What was really noticeable both during the break and post show, is just how much singing was going on as people left the WMC. These fans know every word, to every song. It’s clear Percy holds a special place in the lives of so many theatre goers.
The Lightning Thief may be a mythical adventure but it’s also one that hits like a rock concert and feels like coming home.
THE LIGHTNING THIEF: THE PERCY JACKSON MUSICAL is at the Wales Millennium Centre through to Saturday 24th January. Performances are at 7:30pm each evening, with a 2:30pm matinee today and on Saturday.
Tickets start at around £18 but be aware some performances are showing limited availability, so you’ll need to be quick as lightning to get your. For more details go HERE.
