There’s a certain kind of magic that only theatre can create – the sort that takes a familiar world and quietly reveals the extraordinary hiding beneath it. The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical does exactly that, transforming an ordinary teenage life into a fast-paced quest filled with gods, monsters, and a whole lot of heart.
From the moment the show begins, the world of Camp Half-Blood feels alive with myth and mischief. Smoke curls across the stage, lighting shifts from warm campfire tones to lightning flashes and looming danger, and the sound design pulls you deeper into this modern world of Greek mythology. It’s immediately playful, theatrical, and just a little bit chaotic – in the best possible way.
At the centre of the story is Vasco Emauz, who takes on the iconic role of Percy Jackson with confidence and sincerity. The show opens with Emauz telling the story of how he was expelled from his most recent school. He makes for an instantly likeable hero, and there’s a genuine warmth to his performance that has the audience rooting for him from the very beginning.
Vocally, he’s excellent. His voice carries the score beautifully, and his acting style has the same earnest, emotional quality you’d expect from a future Evan Hansen-type leading man. It’s a strong, charismatic performance that gives the show its heart.
Danny Beard as Mr D
Danny Beard brings a wave of colour and chaos to the stage as Mr D, and it’s easy to see why their casting generated so much excitement ahead of the tour. Known primarily for drag, cabaret, and TV, this role marks a significant step into full-scale musical theatre – and they more than rise to the occasion.
Danny Beard’s performance is akin to characters like Beetlejuice and the Grinch – flamboyant, grumpy, and completely magnetic. As the god of wine and drama, reluctantly working as a fed-up camp leader, they command attention whenever they appear on stage.
Bursting with personality and theatrical flair, it’s a bold performance that perfectly suits the show’s larger-than-life mythical world. It’s a memorable turn that adds both humour and spectacle, and proves Danny Beard to be a fantastic addition to the cast.
Kayna Montecillo as Annabeth
Introduced at Camp Half-Blood is Kayna Montecillo, who brings both strength and warmth to Annabeth – a fierce young hero determined to prove her wisdom to her mother, Athena. Her voice is equally striking, and she delivers each number with clarity and emotion.Â
The chemistry between Montecillo and Emauz feels natural and believable, giving the show a strong emotional core as the two form a convincing team of young heroes, navigating a world suddenly filled with monsters, gods, and destiny.
Alex Anderton as Grover
For this performance, Alex Anderton stepped in as Grover, and he was an absolute delight. Comedic, warm, and endlessly lovable, he’s exactly the kind of best friend every main character needs.
His timing is sharp, and his presence adds a welcome sense of humour and heart to the show, balancing out the darker, more dangerous moments of the quest.
Niall Sheehy and Simone Robinson
Multi-talented Niall Sheehy and Simone Robinson take on a range of roles throughout the show, portraying both mortal characters and powerful gods.
Sheehy, as Mr Brunner and the male gods, brings sharp comedic timing alongside a commanding stage presence. Meanwhile, Robinson shifts seamlessly from the warmth of Percy’s mother, Sally, to colder, more sinister characters, like Medusa. Watching them both transform between these roles is genuinely mesmerising.
Bringing the myth to life
The production’s technical elements play a huge part in building its mythical world. Smoke effects, dramatic lighting, and sharp sound design combine to create a stage that feels alive with ancient magic.
There’s a playful, almost panto-esque quality at times, particularly in moments like Mr D’s wine-throwing antics, but it all adds to the charm. Rather than striving for realism, the show embraces theatricality, letting the audience’s imagination fill in the gaps as the story leaps from one mythical encounter to the next.
The result is a world that feels colourful, magical, and full of adventure.
Final thoughts
The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical is a lively, heartfelt adventure that blends modern humour with ancient mythology. With strong central performances, playful staging, and a score packed with energetic, memorable songs, it’s a show that captures the spirit of the beloved story while bringing it to life.
The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical is at HOME Manchester for a limited run – a myth-filled adventure well worth joining before it disappears back into legend. Book your tickets now.Â
Kelsey Haslam is the founding editor of Magenta Adventures Travel Publication and a freelance travel writer with a focus on community-based travel, culture-led experiences, and theatre tourism. She is passionate about spotlighting lesser-known destinations and connecting travellers with meaningful, human-centred stories.
Her published work includes destination features and luxury hotel reviews for leading travel outlets such as A Luxury Travel Blog, Beau Monde Traveler, and Luxury Lifestyle Magazine.
Explore more about Kelsey’s background on the About Page.
