Open Auditions Announced for The Lightning Thief UK Tour

New Percy Jackson musical invites performers nationwide to join its quest

As The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical prepares to tour the UK in 2025, the producers have announced open auditions to find their company of demigods. The casting call takes place on Tuesday 22 April at The Other Palace, currently home to the London production. It marks a rare opportunity for performers of all backgrounds to join a high-profile musical without the usual barriers of agent submission or prior representation.

Prospective cast members are asked to arrive from 10am, prepared with a 16-bar song in the style of the show, a printed CV and headshot, and sheet music for their chosen number. A pianist will be provided. Full audition details are available at kenwright.com/auditions.

Opening doors: inclusivity at the heart of casting

Open casting calls have become increasingly rare in large-scale UK musical theatre productions, making this announcement significant not just for fans of Rick Riordan’s series but for emerging performers across the country. For producer Paul Taylor-Mills, the decision is rooted in the show’s themes. “At the heart of Percy are themes of inclusivity and the spirit that anything is within your reach,” he said. “That is why we want to open doors for as many people as possible… which is very Percy!”

The producers acknowledge that, of course, not everyone auditioning will be cast, but they emphasise the value of creating space for a broader range of performers to be seen. In an industry where visibility often hinges on connections, open auditions offer rare access to professional creative teams. This approach has at least some potential to reach artists who may not typically find a route into West End-adjacent work.

“That is why we want to open doors for as many people as possible… which is very Percy!”

– Paul Taylor-Mills

A mythological musical with contemporary spirit

The musical adaptation of The Lightning Thief, based on Rick Riordan’s bestselling novel, brings to the stage a modern hero’s journey powered by myth, monsters and adolescent chaos. When New York teenager Percy Jackson discovers he’s the son of Poseidon, he’s thrown into a whirlwind adventure involving destiny, danger and the future of the world.

Since its original off-Broadway debut in 2014, the show has developed a cult following, fuelled by a 2017 US tour and a 2019 Broadway run. The current London production, directed and choreographed by Lizzi Gee (Groundhog Day), has earned critical praise since opening at The Other Palace in 2024, where it continues until August 2025.

With a book by Joe Tracz (Be More Chill) and music and lyrics by Rob Rokicki (Monstersongs), the musical combines punchy pop-rock numbers with a sharp sense of humour and an emotionally driven core. Its fast-paced narrative and inventive staging make it a compelling choice for both fans of the novels and newcomers alike.

**Morgan Gregory – The Lightning Thief – The Other Palace – Photo credit Manuel Harlan**

The reality of open calls: preparation and expectations

Those hoping to audition should be aware that open calls, while inclusive in principle, are demanding in practice. The producers advise auditionees to prepare for long waits, outdoor queuing, and a first-come, first-served system that may not allow time for everyone to be seen. Applicants must be 18 or older and eligible to work in the UK.

Performers are encouraged to bring a repertoire folder, dress for the weather, and arrive early. There’s no guarantee of a callback or role, but the chance to be seen by industry professionals in a major musical context remains a draw in itself.

“Whether you’re fresh from training or returning to the audition room after time away, this is a genuine opportunity…”

Creating access in a gatekept industry

This casting call arrives at a time when the UK theatre industry is undergoing a reckoning with questions of representation and access. For many performers – especially those from working-class, global majority, or non-London backgrounds – open calls can represent the only realistic way into professional work. They bypass traditional gatekeepers and reduce the influence of who knows whom.

In that sense, the Lightning Thief open audition is more than just a PR-friendly gesture. It reaffirms the idea that major productions can, and should, build space for new voices. As Percy himself discovers, heroism isn’t reserved for the chosen few — and neither should casting be.