Eugenius!Opening Date: Sept 1, 2018
Closing Date: Oct 21, 2018 Air date: March 20, 2020 Medium: online Where to watch: YouTube |
Stage Production Notes
Nerdy Eugene is picked on at school, but he soon needs to find his own inner superhero when his comic “Tough Man” gets optioned by a Hollywood producer.
The musical was written by musical theatre newcomers Ben Adams and Chris Wilkins. Adams had previously been a member of British boyband A1.
Eugenius! was first performed at the London Palladium for a special one-night-only concert performance in June 2016. The cast included Warwick Davis, David Bedella, Amy Lennox, and Summer Strallen, with narration by Marcus Brigstocke.
The musical received its first full production at The Other Palace, opening on January 22 in 2018. The cast included Ian Hughes, Alexander Evans, Cameron Blakely, Daniel Buckley, Laura Baldwin, Liam Forde, Melissa James, Scott Paige, and Shaun Dalton.
Eugenuis! received warm reviews. Writing for Whats On Stage, Alun Hood humorously noted “Critiquing it is a bit like trying to tame a multi-coloured labrador puppy that loves you: you know there are flaws but mostly you just want to give it a big hug and let it (guitar) lick your face.”
While critics unanimously made note of the stereotypical story and tired gender roles, they all heartily agreed that the score was excellent. The Guardian’s Lyn Gardner described the score as “infectiously poppy pastiche” and both The Stage’s Tim Bano and Theatre Weekly’s Greg Stewart stated it was “astonishingly catchy.” The cast also received positive notices for their performances.
The musical returned to The Other Palace for a second run in September 2018. Most of the original cast from the first production reprised their roles, while Rob Houchen took over the role of Eugene, and Neil McDermott played Evil Lord Hector.
The Live Review critic Susy Brett stated that some changes were made between the first and second run, notably that some of the sexist issues in the script had been addressed, and a new song had been added to the top of Act 2.
The production was nominated for two Whats On Stage awards including Lighting Design (Andrew Ellis), and Male Performance in a Musical (Rob Houchen).
Eugenius! was scheduled to open in the West End at the Ambassador Theatre on October 27, 2018, however a key investor pulled out at the last minute and the run was cancelled.
Several commentators have made note of the fact that Eugenius! has attracted a strong and loyal fanbase.
A re-worked version of Eugenius! is scheduled to play at London's Turbine Theatre from March 17 - May 28, 2023.
Nerdy Eugene is picked on at school, but he soon needs to find his own inner superhero when his comic “Tough Man” gets optioned by a Hollywood producer.
The musical was written by musical theatre newcomers Ben Adams and Chris Wilkins. Adams had previously been a member of British boyband A1.
Eugenius! was first performed at the London Palladium for a special one-night-only concert performance in June 2016. The cast included Warwick Davis, David Bedella, Amy Lennox, and Summer Strallen, with narration by Marcus Brigstocke.
The musical received its first full production at The Other Palace, opening on January 22 in 2018. The cast included Ian Hughes, Alexander Evans, Cameron Blakely, Daniel Buckley, Laura Baldwin, Liam Forde, Melissa James, Scott Paige, and Shaun Dalton.
Eugenuis! received warm reviews. Writing for Whats On Stage, Alun Hood humorously noted “Critiquing it is a bit like trying to tame a multi-coloured labrador puppy that loves you: you know there are flaws but mostly you just want to give it a big hug and let it (guitar) lick your face.”
While critics unanimously made note of the stereotypical story and tired gender roles, they all heartily agreed that the score was excellent. The Guardian’s Lyn Gardner described the score as “infectiously poppy pastiche” and both The Stage’s Tim Bano and Theatre Weekly’s Greg Stewart stated it was “astonishingly catchy.” The cast also received positive notices for their performances.
The musical returned to The Other Palace for a second run in September 2018. Most of the original cast from the first production reprised their roles, while Rob Houchen took over the role of Eugene, and Neil McDermott played Evil Lord Hector.
The Live Review critic Susy Brett stated that some changes were made between the first and second run, notably that some of the sexist issues in the script had been addressed, and a new song had been added to the top of Act 2.
The production was nominated for two Whats On Stage awards including Lighting Design (Andrew Ellis), and Male Performance in a Musical (Rob Houchen).
Eugenius! was scheduled to open in the West End at the Ambassador Theatre on October 27, 2018, however a key investor pulled out at the last minute and the run was cancelled.
Several commentators have made note of the fact that Eugenius! has attracted a strong and loyal fanbase.
A re-worked version of Eugenius! is scheduled to play at London's Turbine Theatre from March 17 - May 28, 2023.
Filmed Production Notes
Much like V for Victory, the creative team of Eugenius! filmed the second run at The Other Palace for archival and revision purposes, not intending to release the film for public consumption.
During the COVID-19 shutdown, the team decided to release the footage to raise funds for Acting for Others. The charity is made up of 15 individual theatrical charities, all of whom provide financial and emotional assistance and support to people in the entertainment industry who have fallen on hard times.
Eugenius! was released on Facebook Live on March 20, 2020 with a viewing party. The stream reportedly attracted thousands of viewers and raised over £13,500 within a couple of days. A week later on March 27, it was also made available on YouTube.
As of April 12, the show had received 128,000 views on Facebook, and raised over £15,000. As of April 29, 2020, the YouTube link had received over 11,000 views.
Eugenius! is currently available on YouTube.
Much like V for Victory, the creative team of Eugenius! filmed the second run at The Other Palace for archival and revision purposes, not intending to release the film for public consumption.
During the COVID-19 shutdown, the team decided to release the footage to raise funds for Acting for Others. The charity is made up of 15 individual theatrical charities, all of whom provide financial and emotional assistance and support to people in the entertainment industry who have fallen on hard times.
Eugenius! was released on Facebook Live on March 20, 2020 with a viewing party. The stream reportedly attracted thousands of viewers and raised over £13,500 within a couple of days. A week later on March 27, it was also made available on YouTube.
As of April 12, the show had received 128,000 views on Facebook, and raised over £15,000. As of April 29, 2020, the YouTube link had received over 11,000 views.
Eugenius! is currently available on YouTube.
Eugenius! PRODUCTION CREDITS
Theatre: The Other Palace, London
Producer: Warwick Davis, Kevin Wood, George Wood
Book, Music, & Lyrics: Ben Adams and Chris Wilkins
Director: Ian Talbot
Musical Director: Darren Lord
Choreography: Aaron Renfree
Scenic and Costume Design: Hannah Wolfe
Lighting Design: Andrew Ellis
Sound Design: Dan Samson
Video Design, Videography & Editing: Dr. Andy
Stage Manager: Matt Byham
Cast:
Laura Baldwin (Janey), Daniel Buckley (Feris), Scott Paige (Theo), Alison Arnopp (Space Diva/Mrs Truthstretcher), Rob Houchen (Eugene), Neil McDermott (Evil Lord Hector), Emily Tierney (Carrie/Super Hot Lady), Alex Bourne (Lex), Simon Thomas (Gerhard/Tough Man), Christopher Ragland (Stock Jock, Flock of Eagles Singer), Titus Rowe, Laurence Alex Tranter, Ben Darcy, Dillon Scott-Lewis, Lauren Cancannon, Amy West, Sasha Wareham, Brian Blessed (Space Lord, voice only), Mark Hamill (Kevin the Robot, voice only)
Theatre: The Other Palace, London
Producer: Warwick Davis, Kevin Wood, George Wood
Book, Music, & Lyrics: Ben Adams and Chris Wilkins
Director: Ian Talbot
Musical Director: Darren Lord
Choreography: Aaron Renfree
Scenic and Costume Design: Hannah Wolfe
Lighting Design: Andrew Ellis
Sound Design: Dan Samson
Video Design, Videography & Editing: Dr. Andy
Stage Manager: Matt Byham
Cast:
Laura Baldwin (Janey), Daniel Buckley (Feris), Scott Paige (Theo), Alison Arnopp (Space Diva/Mrs Truthstretcher), Rob Houchen (Eugene), Neil McDermott (Evil Lord Hector), Emily Tierney (Carrie/Super Hot Lady), Alex Bourne (Lex), Simon Thomas (Gerhard/Tough Man), Christopher Ragland (Stock Jock, Flock of Eagles Singer), Titus Rowe, Laurence Alex Tranter, Ben Darcy, Dillon Scott-Lewis, Lauren Cancannon, Amy West, Sasha Wareham, Brian Blessed (Space Lord, voice only), Mark Hamill (Kevin the Robot, voice only)
Sources
Articles
Websites
Other
- Jade Ali, “Eugenius musical stream raises over £13,000 for Acting for Others!,” London Theatre Direct (March 23, 2020)
- Tim Bano, “Eugenius,” The Stage (Feb 1, 2018)
- Susy Brett, “Eugenius — Review,” The Live Review (undated)
- Lucy Brooks, “Eugenius!, The Other Palace Theatre” Culture Whisper (April 26, 2018)
- Jacob Bush, “Eugenius the Musical | Review,” Liverpool Guild Student Media (March 28, 2020)
- Matthew Hemley, “Musical Eugenius! cancels West End run,” The Stage (Oct 11, 2018)
- Alun Hood, “Review: Eugenius! (The Other Palace)” Whats On Stage (Sept 7, 2018)
- Lyn Gardner, “Eugenius! review – Mark Hamill is a robot called Kevin in superhero show,” The Guardian (Feb 1, 2018)
- Robin Johnson, “Casting revealed for new musical Eugenius!” Official London Theatre (Dec 14, 2017)
- Douglas Mayo, “REVIEW: Eugenius!, The Other Palace ✭✭✭” BritishTheatre.com (Feb 7, 2018)
- Alice Saville, “'Eugenius!' review,” Timeout London (Jan 8, 2018)
- Mark Shenton, “Mark Shenton's theatre picks: June 23,” The Stage (June 23, 2016)
- Greg Stewart, “Review: Eugenius! At The Other Palace,” Theatre Weekly (Feb 1, 2018)
- Greg Stewart, “Review: Eugenius! Returns to The Other Palace,” Theatre Weekly (Sept 6, 2018)
- Natasha Tripney, “Coronavirus: Eugenius! the Musical to be made available online,” The Stage (March 19, 2020)
- Chris Wilkins, “Eugenius! The Musical,” Talkin’ Broadway (March 25, 2020)
- Alex Wood, “Eugenius! musical to be streamed online to raise money for Acting for Others charity,” Whats On Stage (March 19, 2020)
Websites
- Eugenius!, “Cast,” Accessed via: http://www.eugeniusthemusical.com/cast/4592441021
- Facebook, Eugenius, Accessed via: https://www.facebook.com/eugeniusthemusical/photos/a.683216161742893/3063600077037811/?type=3&theater
- Just Giving, “Eugenius! The Musical,” Accessed via: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/eugenius-the-musical1
- Turbine Theatre, "Eugenius!" Accessed via: https://www.theturbinetheatre.com/whats-on/eugenius
Other
- Email correspondence with Dr. Andy (June 2022)
Written by Luisa Lyons (April, 2020; updated June 2022, Jan 2023)