⚡ A Bolt of Theatrical Energy: The Lightning Thief at the Wales Millennium Centre
From the moment the house lights dimmed at the Wales Millennium Centre, The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical proved itself to be a joyful, high-octane celebration of storytelling, music and youthful imagination.
Based on Rick Riordan’s beloved novel, the musical follows Percy Jackson — an ordinary teenager who discovers he is anything but. What unfolds is a fast-paced quest full of Greek gods, monsters and teenage angst, all delivered with humour, heart and an infectious sense of fun.
A last-minute casting change meant we were treated to Abe Armitage stepping into the lead role of Percy Jackson and it was a genuine thrill to watch. A graduate of our very own Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama, Armitage brought warmth, wit and real emotional grounding to the role. His Percy felt relatable and human, navigating the chaos around him with charm and sincerity, while still rising convincingly to the show’s heroic demands. It was impossible not to feel proud seeing local talent shine so confidently on such a large stage.
Abe Armitage - Our very own rising musical theatre star
One of the most striking elements of the evening was the audience itself. The theatre was filled with so many young people, many clearly fans of the books and their excitement was infectious. Gasps, laughter and spontaneous applause rippled through the auditorium, reminding us just how powerful theatre can be when it truly connects with its audience.
A particular highlight came in the form of Danny Beard as Mr D, the god of wine and the perpetually disgruntled director of Camp Half-Blood. Cursed by Zeus to remain sober, a fate he clearly despises. Mr D is famously cantankerous, dismissive and openly hostile towards mortals, especially Percy. Beard leaned fully into this bitterness with delicious comedic precision, delivering sharp one-liners, exaggerated disdain and a wonderfully dry sense of humour. Often found rolling his eyes back of stage rather than offering guidance, this version of Mr D was both intimidating and hilariously bored by the entire heroic enterprise, providing some of the biggest laughs of the night while staying true to the character’s sour edge.
Visually, the production is bold and inventive. The set design cleverly transforms the stage into multiple worlds using industrial textures, moving pieces, projections and imaginative staging. Locations shift seamlessly from city streets to mythical realms, aided by dynamic lighting and sharp visual effects that keep the action flowing without ever feeling cluttered. The design never overpowers the performers, instead giving them a playground in which to tell the story.
Musically, the show pulses with contemporary energy. The score keeps the pace driving forward, perfectly matching Percy’s whirlwind journey. While not every song lingers long after the curtain call, the music does exactly what it needs to do in the moment, propel the story, heighten emotion and keep the audience fully engaged. There’s a raw, youthful quality to the sound that feels well-suited to a story about finding your identity and embracing who you are.
“high-octane celebration of storytelling, music and youthful imagination.”
What The Lightning Thief does particularly well is wear its heart on its sleeve. Beneath the gods, monsters and jokes lies a story about belonging, friendship and learning that difference can be a strength rather than a flaw. It’s a message that clearly resonated with the young audience members and just as powerfully with the adults watching alongside them.
This production at the Wales Millennium Centre felt vibrant, inclusive and genuinely exciting. With a standout performance from Abe Armitage and an audience buzzing with enthusiasm, The Lightning Thief delivered a night of theatre that was energetic, uplifting and unapologetically fun.
If this is what modern musical theatre can look like for a new generation, then the future looks very bright indeed. Get your tickets via the Wales Millennium Center Website Here⚡
