Originally mounted back in 2011, and a hit at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, we were asked to orchestrate and produce tracks for a re-worked production of The Selfish Gene, “the world’s first biomusical comedy”, penned by Jonathan Salway, with brand new songs by Rhiannon Hopkins, to be performed at the Adelaide Fringe Festival.
The Adamson family are trying to get on with their day (and lives) when Eugene bursts in to tell them they’re doing it all wrong. Listen to him, he’s been getting it right for years.
Can Daniel save his company and marriage? How can Eve give her kidneys to both her brother and her son? Will Alison choose the right mating strategy? And why is Gregory so keen to go to war? Driven on by Eugene, they are led down conflicting and destructive paths. Can they rebel and save the day?
Loosely but faithfully based on Richard Dawkins’ seminal book, this is a modern-day morality tale of overcoming our baser instincts and offering humanity hope.
★★★★★ “absolute gem” WhatsOnStage
★★★★★ “bowled over” Fringe Guru
★★★★ “clever, quirky and genuinely fun” Broadway Baby
