Perfecting Eugene

In the mysterious, unfamiliar world of rapid advancing science, the search for perfection continues. Manic measuring, DNA dancing, chromosome capers and outrageous scientific experiments portray both a hilarious and moving exploration of human genetics.

Mr and Mrs Baghead are desperate for their son Eugene to be born perfect. Maybe Gerry the Geneticist can help? But how far should science shape nature?

Witness the wondrous world of salsa science, cantankerous cells, countless clones and a stage full of mutants. Who decides when a difference is a defect? What would you choose?

Burns' choreography tumbles from the lyrical to the quirky and from the fluid to the disjointed. Combined with sophisticated, steely design, driving soundscore and fantastical film, Perfecting Eugene, the latest show from Britain's leading dance company for young people is designed to stimulate the brain, test the senses and loudly entertain!

Funded by the Wellcome Trust, this performance and workshop programme has been made with a number of experts working within the field of human genetics. Two weeks of research and development were led by Dr Tom Shakespeare, a leading academic and broadcaster in the areas of disability and genetics and with Caroline Bowditch, a dance artist and genetics counsellor.

The devising process involved a number of feedback sessions where young people, teachers, promoters, arts officers and geneticists voiced their opinions about the artistic and thematic content of the work. This valuable exchange has moulded and shaped the final product to produce this exciting sixty minute dance theatre piece.