REVIEW: Percy Jackson and The Lightning Thief

By NODA September 2023

 

Smile Musical Youth Theatre under the leadership of their redoubtable champion of courageous projects for young people, Joe Logan, took on the challenge of a not particularly well known, fast paced and theatrically demanding piece head on and came out Smile-ing (apologies for the awful phraseology!)
The Percy Jackson phenomenon has gone from strength to strength and an inevitable stage adaptation does nothing but enhance the popularity of the genre, especially with excited and enthralled younger audience members, eager to see their heroes depicted on stage – and this was demonstrably in evidence at Dormston Mill Theatre for ‘The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical’.
There is a lot going on in this musical – much of it rather unsurprisingly being music and all credit to Musical Director, Ella Daire, as every offering had an energy and sense of utter enjoyment of their own. ‘Percy Jackson’ of the title, played with supreme confidence and immense talent by Sam Broomhall-Tighe has rock voice perfect for this personable character who through expert characterisation and his superb laid back approach had us on his side from the off. This was epitomised in a beautiful rendition of “Strong” by ‘Percy’ and ‘Sally’, Percy’s Mom, played impeccably by Ruby Blount . This is a show full of different characters all of whom adopted their characters with great confidence and humour as well as some amazing songs. Notable musical highlights include ‘Clarisse’, played by Lauren Slater, ‘Annabeth’, very confidently played by Tiffany Steventon, ‘Grover’, humorously played by Thomas Bastable, ‘Luke’, played for all he was worth by Freddie Perry, ‘Percy’ and the Ensemble singing “Put You in Your Place”, ‘Percy’ and ‘Luke’s’ “The Last Day of Summer” and an almost show stopping rendition of “Good Kid” by Sam. Some great cameos too – Josh Mills as ‘Mr D’, Noa Bailey Cartwright as ‘Mr Bruner’ and Hannah Allsop as ‘Aunty Em’ all deserve a mention
Being a person of a certain age, I got a bit tied up with the school memories of Greek Gods – as it happened, totally unnecessarily as in the hands of these very capable actors and singers, they presented fully rounded characters in their own right and there was no reason to have any preconception as all that was needed was expertly laid out in front of you.
‘Percy’ discovers that he is a demigod (the offspring of a mortal, ‘Sally’, and Poseidon, (Greek God of the Sea) played by Taylor Simner and is sent to Camp Half-Blood where he is accused of stealing Zeus’ lightning bolt and is sent on a mission with his fellow school ne’er do wells, ‘Grover’ a satyr, and Athena’s daughter, ‘Annabeth’ to not only restore his uncle’s property but prevent a war between the gods.
The whole company, far too many to name individually but all as deserving, should be applauded long and loudly for their tremendous effort, amazing talent and untiring enthusiasm for a project that they obviously were enjoying immensely. Many, many congratulations.
There has long been a comparison between the merits and popularity of Percy Jackson versus Harry Potter, this vibrant and charmingly endearing show portrays more real-life scenarios despite the Greek mythological background, for example Percy’s ADHD and Dyslexia are seen as strengths and integral to the telling and solution of the story and were sensitively handled in Joe’s production. There is also an
overwhelming feeling of inclusion and involvement in this production, many named characters, each with a vital role to play in the progression of the plot.
The overwhelming impression from this talented company is that everyone wants it to be the best that it can possibly be – a dedicated and supportive creative team Joe Logan’s enviable vision and commitment as Director and Choreographer, Ella Daire’s Musical Direction, Sarah Jennings as Production Assistant, Stage Manager and Vocal Coach and Olivia Jefferson, Rehearsal Assistant, a gifted plus an indefatigable technical team with an enthusiastic and polished cast of performers all combine to provide a truly memorable and enjoyable night at the theatre which gives you faith that the future of theatre in the Black Country is in good hands.
My thanks to everyone at SMILE MYT for their kind invitation and warm welcome. Many congratulations.
© NODA CIO.  All rights reserved

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REVIEW: Percy Jackson and The Lightning Thief

By BFrame September 2023

Smile Musical Youth Theatre's latest production, The Lightning Thief – The Percy Jackson Musical, was a dazzling and energetic performance that captivated the audience from start to finish. Under the expert direction and choreography of Joe Logan, this young company delivered a show that was both entertaining and deeply engaging, culminating in a well-deserved standing ovation.
Synopsis:
The musical follows the story of Percy Jackson, a teenager who discovers that he is a demigod, the son of Poseidon. As Percy grapples with this life-changing revelation, he embarks on a perilous quest to prevent a catastrophic war among the gods by retrieving Zeus’s stolen lightning bolt. Alongside his friends Annabeth and Grover, Percy confronts mythical creatures, navigates treacherous challenges, and uncovers truths about his past, all while learning the value of friendship, bravery, and self- discovery.
Production Review:
The cast and crew of Smile Musical Youth Theatre delivered a thoroughly impressive performance, showcasing the immense talent within this burgeoning company.
Despite a few minor microphone issues, the overall execution of the show was polished and professional, reflecting the hard work and dedication of everyone involved.
Sam Broomhall-Tighe as Percy Jackson was a revelation. His portrayal of Percy was relaxed and natural, bringing a laid-back charm to the character that resonated with the audience. Broomhall-Tighe's stage presence was magnetic, effortlessly drawing the audience into Percy's journey with his strong vocals and compelling performance.
Tiffany Steventon as Annabeth shone brightly, embodying the character’s intelligence and determination with grace and poise. Steventon’s portrayal added depth to Annabeth, and her chemistry with Broomhall-Tighe was palpable, making their on-stage partnership both believable and engaging. Did I see a kiss?
Thomas Bastable as Grover provided excellent comic relief while also bringing a touching vulnerability to the character. Bastable’s timing was impeccable, and his portrayal of Grover’s loyalty and courage added a heartfelt layer to the production.
Freddie Perry as Luke delivered a standout performance as the show’s antagonist. Perry captured the complexity of Luke’s character, effectively conveying his inner conflict and bitterness. His portrayal added a significant level of tension to the narrative, keeping the audience on the edge of their seats.
Ruby Blount as Sally Jackson brought warmth and sincerity to her role as Percy’s mother. Blount’s heartfelt performance was a strong emotional anchor for the show, especially in her scenes with Broomhall-Tighe, which were some of the most moving moments of the production.
Josh Mills as Mr. D was a delight to watch, bringing a mix of humour and authority to the character. Mills’s lively performance ensured that Mr. D was a memorable presence throughout the show.
The ensemble, while too numerous to name individually, deserves special recognition. Their energy, enthusiasm, and synchronization added to the overall success of the production, creating a vibrant and dynamic backdrop for the principal cast.
Under Joe Logan's skilled direction and choreography, the production flowed seamlessly, with Ella Daire’s musical direction ensuring that the vocal performances were consistently strong. Sarah Jennings, as production assistant and vocal coach, clearly had a significant impact on the cast’s preparation, while Olivia Jefferson’s role as rehearsal assistant helped keep the production running smoothly.
Smile Musical Youth Theatre may be a young company with only a handful of shows under their belt, but their future looks incredibly promising. Perhaps they should consider entering our BFAME one-act festival next year, as their talent and dedication are sure to shine in any setting.
In conclusion, The Lightning Thief – The Percy Jackson Musical was a triumph for Smile Musical Youth Theatre. This talented company delivered a vibrant, energetic, and thoroughly enjoyable show that left the audience eager to see what they will do next.

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