The Lightning Thief - New Wimbledon Theatre

The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical, based on Rick Riordan’s hit book series, is back after a successful run at The Other Palace — and this time, it’s heading out on a UK tour.

The show is, as the name suggests, is based on the first novel of the Percy Jackson series. The story follows Percy, who is thrown into a world of gods, monsters, and destiny. Accused of stealing Zeus’s lightning bolt, Percy and his friends set off on a high-stakes quest across America — filled with humour, heart, and heroic tunes — to restore order to Olympus and find where he truly belongs.

Johan Personn

Having seen the show earlier this year in London, I can unfortunately say that I was not expecting very much from the touring production. However, from the first song, I was deeply regretting that thought. The cast, particularly the main trio, had an incredible chemistry which really brought the show together. The talent on that stage was just mind-blowing.

At the risk of sounding redundant, transferring a production from a single venue to a touring production is no easy task. Especially when the earlier venue had a stage space which was much smaller than that of most major touring venues, like the New Wimbledon. This could lead to the stage feeling quite bare, and for the effect of the piece to be lost in the immensity of the venue. Coupled with the risks of inevitable technical issues, considering the tour moves every week, makes any tour difficult to please audiences. Yet The Lightning Thief rose to the challenge, hitting every mark and passing every test with flying colours.

A special mention must go to Cahir O'Neil, whose performance as Grover was as endearing as it was technically masterful. Every time he stepped on stage, O'Neil commanded attention with his charm, comic timing, and genuine warmth. Vasco Emauz once again proved himself a powerhouse performer, leading the show as Percy with effortless charm and vocal firepower. After seeing his West End debut as Marty McFly in Back to the Future, the bar was already sky-high — but Emauz met it and then some, owning the stage and singing like there was no tomorrow.

Johan Personn

The set (Ryan Dawson Laight) and lighting (Tim Deiling) design on this production is very impressive, staying practical and minimalistic whilst filling the stage effectively. Always staying in the dark blue, gold, and brown colour scheme of the show, the Bright, bold colours and sharp transitions add energy to each scene, while subtler moments are beautifully lit to highlight emotion and intimacy. It’s a perfect example of how less can truly be more when the design is this well thought-out.

In the end, The Lightning Thief is everything a touring musical should be — fresh, dynamic, and full of heart. It captures the spirit of Rick Riordan’s world while standing tall as a theatrical spectacle in its own right. From its powerhouse cast to its inventive staging, every element comes together to create something truly electrifying. If this production is heading to a theatre near you, grab your sword, your shield, and a ticket — you won’t want to miss it.

Production Value: 70

Value For Money: 70

Personal Enjoyment: 80

Overall Score: 73% - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️(4*)

(AD | Ticket gifted in exchange for an honest review)

Show Information

Venue: New Wimbledon Theatre, London

Playing until: 1st November 2025, before moving on to the next venue

Run Time: Approximately 2h30 - including a 20-minute interval

Tickets for this venue, and all subsequent touring venues, can be found at this link. Click here to book online for the Wimbledon Venue.