The Lightning Thief: A Percy Jackson Musical has landed at Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff, bringing gods, monsters and plenty of noise with it.
I’ll be honest from the start. I’ve never read the books. I’d done a bit of reading online beforehand, but even then I didn’t fully grasp the story until sitting in the theatre on opening night.
On paper, it sounds like this. Percy Jackson is a New York teenager who discovers he is a half blood, the son of the Greek god Poseidon. His world is turned upside down as mythical monsters appear, powers begin to surface and a destiny he never asked for is suddenly unavoidable.
My first thought was fairly basic. What does lightning have to do with Poseidon?
It turns out, quite a lot.
Percy isn’t the only half blood. There’s an entire camp full of them. As he starts to understand who his father really is, he also learns that Zeus’s lightning bolt has been stolen and Percy is being blamed. Alongside new friends, he’s sent on a quest to find the bolt, uncover who took it and stop the gods from tearing the world apart.
Once it clicks, it’s genuinely gripping.
There were lots of young people in the audience, including my daughter, who is currently learning about myths and legends at school. Very well timed, even if completely unplanned. While it’s packed with action and humour, there are some surprisingly relatable themes running through it.
It’s a coming of age story at heart. Struggling to fit in. Making friends in a new place. Family not being straightforward. Finding where you belong as you grow up.
On opening night, it was announced that Percy would be played by Abe Armitage, who graduated from the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama last year. Judging by the huge cheer when he stepped on stage, he had more than a few supporters in the audience.
And rightly so. He was outstanding from start to finish. Confident, funny, emotional when needed and completely believable in the role. A real moment for a Welsh audience to see one of their own leading the charge.
The live band, tucked away within the set, added real energy throughout. The music is a huge part of what makes this show work and there were several standouts for us.
- Another Terrible Day
- Put You In Your Place
- The Campfire Song
- Lost, which was our favourite, catchy and very funny
- D.O.A
The whole cast was excellent and incredibly engaging, but a few performances really stood out.
Niall Sheehy as Mr Brunner (+ other roles) brought authority and warmth in equal measure. Kayna Montecillo was brilliant as Annabeth, sharp, fearless and grounded. Cahir O’Neill as Grover was a real crowd favourite, full of charm and comic timing.
Grover, Annabeth and Percy together are a great team and their chemistry carries the story forward.
People aren’t wrong when they talk about the music. It really is something special.
The tour continues into 2026, with Abe Armitage leading as Percy Jackson, Kayna Montecillo as Annabeth and Cahir O’Neill as Grover. They are joined by a strong supporting cast including Simone Robinson as Sally Jackson, Ellie Grace Cousins as Clarisse and Paolo Micallef as Luke, alongside an impressive ensemble featuring several performers making their professional stage debut.
For two nights only, on 23 and 24 January, RuPaul’s Drag Race UK champion Danny Beard will also appear as the grumpy god of wine, Mr D. With their trademark charisma, vocals and stage presence, it promises to be a memorable addition to the show.
Based on Rick Riordan’s hugely successful book series, which has sold more than 180 million copies worldwide and inspired films and a Disney Plus series, The Lightning Thief has already proven itself on stage. From off Broadway to the West End, this musical has built a loyal following.
This production brings it all together. Strong performances, big music, clever staging and a story that works just as well for adults as it does for younger audiences.
It’s a fun, energetic and surprisingly thoughtful adventure that reminds you that normal really is a myth.
Run time is approximately two hours and ten minutes, including the interval.
Tickets start from £18.
More information and booking details can be found at wmc.org.uk.
