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14 Phonebox Magazine | September 2025The original books spawned a series of movies, and TV shows, and now Percy Jackson is hitting the stage. Milton Keynes Theatre is among the venues preparing to be lit up, says Phonebox%u2019s Tom Johnston.GONE IN A FLASH!There%u2019s no doubting the success and popularity of US author Rick Riordan%u2019s mystical book series about demi-god Percy Jackson. %u2018The Lightning Thief%u2019 was the first of these best-sellers, in which Percy discovers, at a place called Camp Half-Blood, that he is related to Poseidon, the Greek god of the sea. That book alone sold 1.2 million copies straight after it was published.There have been many other instalments and big screen spin-off s, so this stage adaption is a welcome change %u2013 and a musical one too.Now, %u2018The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical%u2019 is set to embark on an electrifying UK tour this autumn, bringing the hit stage adaptation of Riordan%u2019s bestselling novel to audiences across the country. The tour will come to Milton Keynes Theatre early next month.Leading the charge (and wielding the lightning bolt) is Vasco Emauz as the one and only Percy Jackson, joined by Kayna Montecillo as the wise and fearless Annabeth, and Cahir O%u2019Neill as sidekick, Grover. They will be joined by Simone Robinson as Sally Jackson, Niall Sheehy as Mr Bruner, Aidan Cutler as Mr D, and Ellie-Grace Cousins as Clarisse.Paolo Micallef as Luke was cast following open auditions, while three other actors: Amy McEvoy, Alex Anderton and Ellouise Delooze are making their stage debuts in the ensemble. %u201cWe%u2019re thrilled to bring Percy Jackson%u2019s epic journey to more UK audiences following the success we%u2019ve had in London,%u201d said Paul TaylorMills, the show%u2019s producer.%u201cThis show is full of energy, humour, and heart %u2013 whether you're a long-time fan or new to the world of Camp Half-Blood, you%u2019re in for an unforgettable adventure.%u201dNow with over 180 million copies sold worldwide, Percy Jackson%u2019s story has been adapted into a major hit TV series for Disney+ as well as the movies. This musical fi rst premiered off -Broadway in 2014 and went on to have two US tours, another off -Broadway run in 2017 and a 16-week limited run on Broadway in 2019. In this story, when New York City teenager Perseus %u2018Percy%u2019 Jackson discovers that he is the half-blood son of Poseidon, his life takes a dramatic turn as he is plunged into a world much bigger than he could possibly have imagined.With newly discovered powers he is unable to control, an unwanted destiny and a whole textbook%u2019s worth of mythical monsters on his trail, Percy must learn what it means to be a hero.The future of the world hangs in the balance as Percy and his friends embark on an epic adventure that will have you on the edge of your seat. The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical is at Milton Keynes Theatre from Wednesday 3rd to Sunday 7th September.