“It’s brilliant …it’s amazing” is what you want to hear from the teens and tweens leaving the theatre, “I loved it!” And with Danny Beard headlining in cameo as Mr D, there’s something for the rest of the family too.
Based on the children’s book by Rick Riordan, The Lightning Thief, The Percy Jackson Musical is a fantasy adventure set in modern day America, interwoven with stories and characters of Greek mythology.
The story
The Gods are real. Percy discovers he is a demigod, Half-Blood and this revelation helps him to make sense of himself and his life in the modern world – his ADHD and dyslexia, of not fitting in, of being expelled from schools and not understanding why. Called to summer school with other Half-Bloods, Percy makes friends and finds mentors. Through questing he learns to understand his barriers and turn that to advantage, that he has skills that don’t fit with school, but enable survival.
Being “enough”
Learning he is ‘’enough’’ is a message that resonated with a teenager in my row. She cried visibly in relief, in being heard of the recognition that neurological difference is not something needing to be fixed but is a part of who they are. In art imitating life, mainstream isn’t for everyone and shifting the context or the paradigm reveals strengths in SEND needs.
Multi-themed and multi-layered
Multi-themed and multi-layered, there is a lot to take in. Borrowing elements from Greek theatre, puppetry, pantomime, minimalist set and special effects the show has high production values; fast-paced, high energy rock music and well-choreographed dance and fight scenes.
Vasco Emauz as Percy was the star of the show but stand-out performances were Paola Micallef and his puck-like Luke, Ellie-Grace Cousins feisty and fierce as Clarisse, Kayna Montecillo as Annabeth was popular with the younger audience (please don’t turn your back to the audience when speaking – we lose your words) but Simone Robinson in all her characters was a cut-above.
This new production has been touring towns across the UK – Darlington is the penultimate venue and it closes in Leicester next week UK Tour – The Lightning Thief – The Percy Jackson Musical
