A 24-YEAR-OLD actor from Jersey has landed a starring role in the West End.
Former Victoria College student Morgan Gregory will play demigod hero Percy Jackson in The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical at The Other Palace in London from March, after previously covering the role as an understudy.
“When I got the call offering me the role, I was overwhelmed,” Mr Gregory said. “And of course, I immediately called my mum and dad – there were tears, cheers, and a lot of screaming down the phone!”
Mr Gregory said it was an “absolute honour” to step into “such an iconic role”.
“I can’t wait to make it my own,” he added.
The actor grew up in St Helier, training and performing in Jersey before moving to the UK when he was 16 to study at Bird College of Performing Arts. After graduating in 2020, he appeared in Back to the Future The Musical, Elf The Musical, Newsies and 42 Balloons.
Mr Gregory credits Jersey’s performing-arts scene for setting him on his path to success: “I grew up in a household surrounded by theatre – my mum was deeply involved in Jersey’s amateur dramatics scene, choreographing and producing shows at the Arts Centre and Opera House. It was like being raised on stage.”
Before moving to London, Mr Gregory performed with Jersey Academy of Dancing, spent summers at drama schools and participated in various productions across local venues.
“It was always clear to me that this was the path I was meant to take,” he said. “Jersey, my parents and the opportunities I seized along the way were all vital parts of getting me here.”
Mr Gregory said he was familiar with Percy Jackson’s character.
He said: “I’ve read all the books, and I truly feel like I know Percy inside and out. But beyond the books, I want to bring his uniqueness to life – his authenticity, his humour, and his sense of fun.
“I like to think I bring a bit of charming chaos to Percy’s character, adding layers of playfulness while staying true to what fans love about him.”
For aspiring performers from Jersey with West End ambitions, Mr Gregory said: “Embrace every opportunity. Get involved in as many shows, plays and dance performances as you can.
“Don’t be afraid to experiment with different roles and remember that the ensemble is just as important as the lead. Gaining experience in harmonies, teamwork and backstage roles will set you up for success.
“There’s no shortcut – every step along the way builds your foundation for something bigger.”
