The Lightning Thief Inspires Drama Learners

Drama learners at Solihull Sixth Form College were invited to a special performance of 'The Lightning Thief' at the Hippodrome in Birmingham recently.

Seeing live professional theatre is an essential part of the A level Drama & Theatre course, and this visit offered students a valuable opportunity to watch the Percy Jackson musical brought to life by a professional cast. The experience supported the development of their analytical skills ahead of their Component 1 examination.

The production also enriched learners’ understanding of Greek mythology, which is particularly beneficial for their study of ‘Antigone’, a set text for their written exam. ‘The Lightning Thief’ tells the story of 16‑year‑old Percy Jackson, who discovers he is the half‑blood son of the Greek god Poseidon, a revelation that dramatically changes the course of his life.

Drama teacher Nadia Kouhi commented:

"There is nothing like live professional theatre to inspire our young people. Not only will this help them with their written exam, but they also picked up on some professional practice related to acting, set, props, costume, lighting and sound and it will give learners ideas for their own live performances."

4 March 2026