Review: EUGENIUS!, Turbine Theatre
Photo credit: Pamela Raith
As fan favourite Eugenius! returns for the first time since 2018, we are transported to a nostalgia heavy 1988 in this zingy, high energy comic superhero musical.
The cast are infectiously enthusiastic as they are catapulted into the world of Hollywood. Co-writers Chris Wilkins and Ben Adams (of A1 and Subwoolfer fame) take us on a fast paced journey via 80s references, catchy tunes and movie trivia aplenty to see schoolboy Eugene’s comic, Strong Man, become a movie.
If you were not around in the 80s then chunks of the pop culture narrative may be missed. But for those who spent their youth winding tapes up with a pencil, then this is the show for you! The songs are so uplifting and the final song ‘Go Eugenius!’ is an earworm staying with you long after the final applause.
Elliot Evans, who is very likeable in the titular role, has a fresh-faced innocence, beautifully balanced by his geeky pals; James Hameed’s cheeky Feris; and the phenomenal Jaina Brock Patel as awkward, yet feisty Janey. Brock Patel plays Janey so well that it’s hard to imagine anyone else ever playing this role.
The plot is very simple and, although a little disjointed in parts, is easy to follow. There are one or two leaps to make, as the villain Lord Hector (the fiendish Joseph Beach) crosses the boundary of dream into reality. Randomly, there are also a number of musical references which are peppered throughout which don’t sit entirely comfortably in the flow of the narrative. The ending lands with a huge thud of twee predictability, but any other ending would have been entirely disingenuous.
In Eugenius!, we are reminded of the misogyny of the 80s when the ‘men were strong’ and the ‘women were pretty’. The female character is literally called Super Hot Lady: Carrie, played by the spectacular Maddison Firth, could have easily carried off an opportunity to dispel the blonde bimbo rhetoric of ‘Super hot lady’, and could have portrayed ‘Super strong lady’, or similar, which feels a little bit like an opportunity missed.
Lara Denning effortlessly steps into the over-dramatic American agent role of Lex Hogan, but it is Rhys Taylor who is absolutely dazzling in the role of Theo Schlong (yes, really!), elevating the whole production, landing an array of one liners with perfect comic timing. Dom Anderson is also very strong (literally) in his triple duty as risible German, inadequate dad and brawny Tough Man, but does he really need to play all three roles?
The musical has found a great home at the funky neon Turbine Theatre. Andrew Exeter, with video designer Andy Walton, have designed an amazing set which compliments the storyline and vibe of the musical to a tee, Hannah Chisick’s directing makes the most of the small space at the Turbine, and Alistair Penman’s sound brings gig vibes to an intimate location.
A fun packed evening of reminiscing whilst trying to find the hero inside yourself. Eugenius! is back to hold its place as fan favourite. Go Eugenius!, go Eugene!
*** Three stars
Reviewed by: Cara Brazier
Eugenius! plays at the Turbine Theatre until 28 May, with further information here.