REVIEW -THE LIGHTNING THIEF: THE PERCY JACKSON MUSICAL – A MYTHICAL FAMILY NIGHT AT HOME MANCHESTER

On Wednesday 11th February, Lawrence, Alice (8) and I headed into the pouring Manchester rain for press night of The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical at HOME Manchester — and it turned into such a fun, high-energy family theatre night.

The show started at 7.30pm and runs for approximately 2 hours 10 minutes (including a 20-minute interval), with a recommended age of 8+, which felt absolutely right for Alice and the many excited young fans in the audience.

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Our Evening at HOME Manchester

After collecting our tickets, Alice immediately chose a large popcorn (£4 — because what’s theatre without popcorn?). We were invited upstairs to the second-floor guest area before the show, which was such a lovely touch. There were drinks available (red and white wine, orange juice and apple juice), a rail to hang our very wet coats — honestly a lifesaver — and a big screen showing promotional material for the venue and the production.

At around 7.15pm we made our way down to the auditorium. We were seated in the stalls, Row F seats 13–15, and had an excellent central view. One thing I always notice at HOME Manchester is how comfortable it is — generous legroom, comfy seats and such helpful staff. We asked for a booster seat for Alice and one was brought over straight away.

It immediately felt like we were in for a good night.

The Story – Gods, Monsters and Finding Where You Belong

Based on Rick Riordan’s bestselling novel, The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical follows Percy Jackson — a teenager who’s never quite felt like he fits in. After a series of strange events, he discovers he is actually the son of Poseidon and is suddenly thrown into the world of Camp Half-Blood. Alongside Annabeth and Grover, Percy sets off on a quest to recover Zeus’ stolen lightning bolt and prevent a war among the gods.

The story moves quickly, packed with humour, action and heart. Themes of friendship, identity and embracing what makes you different run right through it — and that message really resonated with the young audience around us.

The industrial-style set transforms cleverly into different locations, and the lighting adds atmosphere without ever overwhelming the performers. It all works together to keep the adventure flowing smoothly.

Performances That Brought It to Life

Vasco Emauz leads the production confidently as Percy, bringing warmth and relatability to the role. You really feel Percy’s confusion, bravery and determination as his world turns upside down.

Kayna Montecillo delivers a strong and assured Annabeth, balancing intelligence and strength beautifully.

At this performance, the role of Grover was played by understudy Alex Anderton, who gave a fantastic performance with great vocals and a really engaging stage presence.

Danny Beard, who has taken over the role of Mr D in 2026, is an absolute standout. With sharp comic timing and powerful vocals, he injects the show with energy and humour every time he appears on stage.

The wider company — including Joseph Connor, Ellie-Grace Cousins, Paolo Micallef, Simone Robinson and Niall Sheehy — take on multiple roles with impressive clarity and enthusiasm, helping keep the pace lively throughout.

The HOME Manchester Difference

I actually saw this production last year at the Liverpool Empire and enjoyed it then — but I enjoyed it even more this time.

HOME Manchester is a more intimate venue, and that closeness really benefits The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical. You feel nearer to the action, the humour lands more directly and the sound felt clearer and more immediate in this space, which really enhances the pop-rock score.

Interval Ice Cream & Merch (Because These Things Matter!)

In the interval we treated ourselves to ice cream — chocolate for Alice and mint choc chip for me (£7 for the two).

We also browsed the merchandise stand. Available items included:

• Hoodie – £50

• Camp Half-Blood T-shirt – £24

• Cropped T-shirt – £24

• Logo T-shirt (Adult) – £22

• Logo T-shirt (Youth) – £18

• Backpack – £28

• Pens (price not listed at the time)

  
  

There were no programmes available at this performance.

Final Thoughts

The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical at HOME Manchester is lively, funny and full of energy. It clearly connects with younger audiences while still offering enough wit and theatrical creativity for adults.

While the final moments don’t quite reach the scale the build-up promises, the journey itself is packed with humour, heart and imagination.

Alice especially loved the moment when foam rained down onto the audience — it completely surprised her and she thought it was brilliant. It’s little touches like that which make live theatre feel exciting and immersive for children.

A fun, fast-paced mythological adventure that works especially well for families — and one that definitely leaves younger audience members smiling.

If you’d like to read a more in-depth theatre-focused review of The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical at HOME Manchester, you can find my full review over on All About Theatre here:

The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical is at HOME Manchester until Saturday 21st February 2026. Tickets are available via the venue website.

If you’d like more information about the show, you can also visit the official production website.

Our tickets for this performance were kindly gifted in exchange for an honest review.