The worldwide phenomena Percy Jackson (Joe Tracz) has hit the stage with a loud and rapturous bang. Enter monsters, a heroic adventure, catchy songs and a ferocious cast and you can easily see why this adaptation of the books, films and TV series shouldn’t be anything but following in the success of its predecessors of Percy Jackson. Produced and directed by Bill Kenwright, Paul Taylor-Mills and Lizzie Gee)
Packed with catchy, upbeat songs which will have you toe tapping along and singing as you leave, the musical score (Rob Rokicki, Will Joy and Jeremy Wootton) and vocals for this production are beautifully orchestrated.
The set design (Ryan Dawson Laight) is simple, but a very detailed, effective and dynamic staging. Minimal pieces of movable platforms are utilised to adapt the staging as the story develops. Using a plethora of amazing visuals (Matt Powell) and sound effects to replicate the scene changes, events and atmosphere for the characters on stage. I’d say the lighting (Tim Deiling), sound (Dan Samson) and tech for this production really shines and gives this production the wow factor.
The characters are a wonderful array of personalities from meek and quirky to bold and brash. The main man, Percy Jackson (Vasco Emauz), carries the show well, he is likable, powerful, strong and you see a beautiful development throughout his story from confused and unsure to finding his place. A wonderfully diverse performance. Not forgetting Percy’s two best friends, Annabeth (Kayna Montecillo) and Grover (Chair ONeill), encompassing two very different characters, Annabeth, strong, fierce and ready for anything but with a soft side which the character portrays well to warm the audience to her. Grover is that lovable, quirky and rather awkward friend who is difficult not to love and despite him not being as brave and bold as his counterparts, he makes up for this in love and friendship.
The rest of the cast, some playing a variety of roles are energetic and fun. As a whole this is a strong cast and the power and emotion is easily captured by the audience. Special mention to Simone Robinson who seamlessly switched between the stable, loving mother and other half blood characters with ease.
You can easily tell characters apart and also whether they are mortal, half blood or God due to the simple yet adaptable costumes (Ryan Dawson Laight). Some characters move between mortal and half blood. The half blood costumes are wonderfully designed, and the performers seem to use the props and costumes with ease in their performances.
Some characters such as the Minotaur are very creatively put together using only large props, smoke and lighting, yet demonstrates with ease to the audience how imaginative design can really hit the right spot and create wonderfully visual characters.
The choreography (Lizzie Gee and Philip Catchpole) was fun, upbeat, diverse and utilised the space and cast well. Everyone was involved, transitions between characters and scenes happened effortlessly during well choreographed routines. It was a joy to watch.
Overall, I really enjoyed this performance, it was energetic, fun, engaging and the cast including those backstage gave 110%. Personally, my only criticism would be that you felt thrown in at the beginning to a wider story and you spend a lot of time going on a quest, for the battle to be smaller than you anticipated. These are very minor when you see the dedication and work that the cast as a whole put into this performance and despite these small story development issues, they don’t detract too much from the overall performance, it is still definitely joyous and one to watch. If you are a fan of Percy Jackson, you will feel right at home and this performance encompasses all your fan needs.
Reviewer: Sam James
Reviewed: 16th September 2025
North West End UK Rating: