Home - Shadow of Eros

The Musical

The story of Alfred Gilbert the late-Victorian sculptor and his iconic creation, the winged god of Piccadilly Circus.

From fame and fortune, exile and despair, and finally to glorious redemption, this is a tale told through words and song of pride, fall and the price of genius.

A new and original musical, created by Paul Smyth and Guy Watson, the Shadow of Eros will entertain, educate, and enthral as the story behind the statue is finally told.

The Characters

Click on any book to learn about our musical's characters. Click X to close the book after reading.

Background Video Example

The Songs

Just four of the many songs to be enjoyed in The Shadow of Eros

My once maligned child

The musical begins as it ends. Alfred Gilbert is reunited with his beloved Eros after years of self-exile and suffering. A wiser, older man sings to the god of love he created so many years ago.

Mein Gott!

Alfred Gilbert is in his studio, sculpting Eros. His model, the young Angelo Colarossi struggles to maintain his pose. In bursts Gilbert's mentor Joseph Boehm, the Queen's sculptor, to have some fun by professing his mock outrage at the scene.

I'm not the man I used to be

Gilbert is broken and in exile in Belgium. The making of Eros has bankrupted him and he has suffered the horrors and privations of occupied First World War Bruges. Princess Louise, daughter of Queen Victoria, lover of Joseph Boehm and friend of Gilbert comes to Bruges to ask him to come home.

Into the light

Gilbert has returned to London. He has been knighted by George V and his Eros is returning to Piccadilly Circus after a long enforced absence. Gilbert gives a speech at the rededication of his masterpiece and reflects on the highs and lows of his dramatic life.

The Promotional Videos

The workshop performance

Richmond College 2022

My much maligned child

Piccadilly's God of Love celebrated 120 years after its birth

Our Supporters

People and organizations who have acted as supporters in achieving the Arts Council of England grant and are advocates of The Shadow of Eros are:

Lucinda Hawksley - Author, biographer of Princess Louise and great-great-great-granddaughter of Charles Dickens.

Peter Gilbert - The great grandson of Sir Alfred Gilbert.

Merlin Holland - The grandson of Oscar Wilde.

Sharon Wright - Brontës biography and playwright.

Lord Kirkhope of Harrogate

Mercury Musical Developments

The Oscar Wilde Society

The Fine Arts Society

Be a part of something extraordinary!

In 2022 The Shadow of Eros secured an Arts Council grant to develop and workshop the musical under the direction of Tim MacArthur and with a cast featuring the Oliver Award winning actress, Leanne Jones.

We are now seeking input both artistic and financial to launch this new and exciting musical on the stage for a theatrical run.

If you're interested in becoming involved please contact the creators, Guy Watson and Paul Smyth at:

The Musical

The story of Alfred Gilbert the late-Victorian sculptor and his iconic creation, the winged god of Piccadilly Circus.

From fame and fortune, exile and despair, and finally to glorious redemption, this is a tale told through words and song of pride, fall and the price of genius.

A new and original musical, created by Paul Smyth and Guy Watson, the Shadow of Eros will entertain, educate, and enthral as the story behind the statue is finally told.

The Characters

The Songs

Just four of the many songs to be enjoyed in The Shadow of Eros

My once maligned child

The musical begins as it ends. Alfred Gilbert is reunited with his beloved Eros after years of self-exile and suffering. A wiser, older man sings to the god of love he created so many years ago.

Mein Gott!

Alfred Gilbert is in his studio, sculpting Eros. His model, the young Angelo Colarossi struggles to maintain his pose. In bursts Gilbert's mentor Joseph Boehm, the Queen's sculptor, to have some fun by professing his mock outrage at the scene.

I'm not the man I used to be

Gilbert is broken and in exile in Belgium. The making of Eros has bankrupted him and he has suffered the horrors and privations of occupied First World War Bruges. Princess Louise, daughter of Queen Victoria, lover of Joseph Boehm and friend of Gilbert comes to Bruges to ask him to come home.

Into the light

Gilbert has returned to London. He has been knighted by George V and his Eros is returning to Piccadilly Circus after a long enforced absence. Gilbert gives a speech at the rededication of his masterpiece and reflects on the highs and lows of his dramatic life.

The Promotional Videos

The workshop performance

Richmond College 2022

My much maligned child

Piccadilly's God of Love celebrated 120 years after its birth

Our Supporters

People and organizations who have acted as supporters in achieving the Arts Council of England grant and are advocates of The Shadow of Eros are:

Lucinda Hawksley - Author, biographer of Princess Louise and great-great-great-granddaughter of Charles Dickens.

Peter Gilbert - The great grandson of Sir Alfred Gilbert.

Merlin Holland - The grandson of Oscar Wilde.

Sharon Wright - Brontës biography and playwright.

Lord Kirkhope of Harrogate

Mercury Musical Developments

The Oscar Wilde Society

The Fine Arts Society

Be a part of something extraordinary!

In 2022 The Shadow of Eros secured an Arts Council grant to develop and workshop the musical under the direction of Tim MacArthur and with a cast featuring the Oliver Award winning actress, Leanne Jones.

We are now seeking input both artistic and financial to launch this new and exciting musical on the stage for a theatrical run.

If you're interested in becoming involved please contact the creators, Guy Watson and Paul Smyth at:

The Musical

The Characters

Click on any book to learn about our musical's characters. Click X to close the book after reading.

The Songs

Just four of the many songs to be enjoyed in The Shadow of Eros

My once maligned child

The musical begins as it ends. Alfred Gilbert is reunited with his beloved Eros after years of self-exile and suffering. A wiser, older man sings to the god of love he created so many years ago.

Mein Gott!

Alfred Gilbert is in his studio, sculpting Eros. His model, the young Angelo Colarossi struggles to maintain his pose. In bursts Gilbert's mentor Joseph Boehm, the Queen's sculptor, to have some fun by professing his mock outrage at the scene.

I'm not the man I used to be

Gilbert is broken and in exile in Belgium. The making of Eros has bankrupted him and he has suffered the horrors and privations of occupied First World War Bruges. Princess Louise, daughter of Queen Victoria, lover of Joseph Boehm and friend of Gilbert comes to Bruges to ask him to come home.

Into the light

Gilbert has returned to London. He has been knighted by George V and his Eros is returning to Piccadilly Circus after a long enforced absence. Gilbert gives a speech at the rededication of his masterpiece and reflects on the highs and lows of his dramatic life.

The Promotional Videos

The workshop performance

Richmond College 2022

My much maligned child

Piccadilly's God of Love celebrated 120 years after its birth

Our Supporters

People and organizations who have acted as supporters in achieving the Arts Council of England grant and are advocates of The Shadow of Eros are:

Be a part of something extraordinary!

The Musical

The Characters

The Songs

Just four of the many songs to be enjoyed in The Shadow of Eros

My once maligned child

The musical begins as it ends. Alfred Gilbert is reunited with his beloved Eros after years of self-exile and suffering. A wiser, older man sings to the god of love he created so many years ago.

Mein Gott!

Alfred Gilbert is in his studio, sculpting Eros. His model, the young Angelo Colarossi struggles to maintain his pose. In bursts Gilbert's mentor Joseph Boehm, the Queen's sculptor, to have some fun by professing his mock outrage at the scene.

I'm not the man I used to be

Gilbert is broken and in exile in Belgium. The making of Eros has bankrupted him and he has suffered the horrors and privations of occupied First World War Bruges. Princess Louise, daughter of Queen Victoria, lover of Joseph Boehm and friend of Gilbert comes to Bruges to ask him to come home.

Into the light

Gilbert has returned to London. He has been knighted by George V and his Eros is returning to Piccadilly Circus after a long enforced absence. Gilbert gives a speech at the rededication of his masterpiece and reflects on the highs and lows of his dramatic life.

The Promotional Videos

The workshop performance

Richmond College 2022

My much maligned child

Piccadilly's God of Love celebrated 120 years after its birth

Our Supporters

People and organizations who have acted as supporters in achieving the Arts Council of England grant and are advocates of The Shadow of Eros are:

Be a part of something extraordinary!

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