Interview with Laura Baldwin | Eugenius! The Musical

Ben Adams (writer) and Laura Baldwin (Janey) in Eugenius! rehearsals Photo: Nick Dudley

The highly anticipated musical Eugenius! will soon be arriving at The Other Palace Theatre for 6 weeks from 22 January. It's the musical that everyone is buzzing about. The musical is written by former member of A1 and leading star of Flashdance and Chris Wilkins. 

Eugenius! is the story of a teenage boy, Eugene whose nightly dreams of a distant world of heroes and villains may just be the ticket he needs to create his very own comic book movie in Hollywood. Joined along with his friends 'Janey' - who is no doubt in love with him except for when his head is inside a comic book and 'Feris', the comic writing genius, collectively they must discover the meaning of growing up. 

I caught up with Laura Baldwin who plays Janey about the era of new musicals and how Eugenius! fits into that bill with the show. "Eugenius! has original music and is set in the 80's. Feels very relevant to the Netflix hit Show Stranger Things.  It focuses on youth and being young, finding your place in the world as well as the story of the underdog, love, and friendship. There are so many different topics that come together in such a beautiful way with Eugenius!" 

I wanted to know more about Amy's character Janey and how she fits into a story which is very much centred around Eugenius but also his two friends. "Janey is a firecracker, a really strong character who is madly in love with Eugene. I really enjoy playing her because of her character and strength. She's extremely fun and intelligent, I really like that about her."

The company in Eugenius! rehearsals Photo: Nick Dudley

The company in Eugenius! rehearsals. Photo: Nick Dudley

What is making Eugenius! such a standout and has everyone talking is the ton of brilliant original songs that will grab your attention. Ben Adams and Chris Wilkins have collectively written a show that contains addictive hits - "The music in it is great" explains Laura Baldwin, "I can't pinpoint a particular favourite, they're all my favourites!" "I listen to them in rehearsals regularly and I bounce from one to one as my favourite, Don't Shoot For The Stars, Shoot Higher is a great song that brings together the entire company, it's full of pumped up emotions too. I think the audience will thoroughly enjoy that one within the production". 

As previously mentioned the production is only running for a limited time at The Other Palace in Victoria, London so why should people come and see it whilst it's on? "It's an epic story of love, friends, heroism and has an amazing soundtrack too!"

Catch Eugenius! The Eunique New Musical at The Other Palace Theatre in Victoria, London between 22 January - 3 March 2018. Book your tickets here