Photo: Johann Persson
The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical offers a fresh, musical twist on the beloved Percy Jackson books. It tells the nostalgic story of a boy born a half-blood: half human, half god, as he begins to uncover his identity and the challenges that come with it.
As Percy searches for the truth about his father, a war between the gods breaks out, and he is faced with the task of proving his innocence in the theft of Zeus’ lightning bolt.
The storyline of the musical is fast paced; however, each setback Percy faces seems to be resolved too quickly. There is rarely a sense of real danger, as every problem finds a convenient solution, from his mother’s sudden return to life, to the ease with which Percy and his friends reach the Underworld. These elements make the production feel somewhat unrealistic, as though Percy never truly struggles or earns his victories.
Simone Robinson was a standout performer, delivering an impressive range in her roles, from Medusa to the Oracle, and even the gatekeeper of the Underworld. Her powerhouse vocals especially shone in the song Death on Arrival. She was a joy to watch and is certainly a star on the rise.
The rest of the music in the show was hit or miss. While there were a few catchy numbers that captured the energy and humour of Percy’s world, many songs felt overly long and tended to drag, losing momentum partway through. Some lyrics lacked the emotional depth or cleverness needed to make them memorable.
The special effects also fell short of expectations for a musical centered on gods and mythical creatures. The set design changed little between scenes, making it difficult to feel transported to different locations such as Camp Half-Blood or the Underworld. However, the use of the Minotaur was exceptionally creative, a clever combination of lighting, sound, and movement, and provided one of the show’s most spectacular and thrilling moments.
Overall, the production delivered a good story but made Percy’s journey feel too easy. It seemed to cram in too many subplots in an effort to reach a happy ending, rather than focusing on a tighter narrative with fewer but more meaningful challenges. Fans of the original book will likely appreciate the nostalgia, but newcomers to the world of Percy Jackson may find themselves a bit lost.
The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical runs until 1st November 2025 at New Wimbledon Theatre with tickets available at New Wimbledon Theatre Box Office | Buy Tickets Online | ATG Tickets.
Reviewer: Zain Russell
Reviewed: 28th October 2025
North West End UK Rating:
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