George Eugeniou obit

Obituary: George Eugeniou, founder of Camden's Theatro Technis

He was not on the list. 

The "beloved" and "visionary" founder of a theatre group that transformed lives and became internationally known has left "an indelible legacy".

George Eugeniou, who helped set up Camden's Theatro Technis in 1957, has died at the age of 93.

In a statement, the Crowndale Road venue said he had suffered a heart attack and died at the Royal Free Hospital in Hampstead on Saturday.

"It is with deep sadness and a profound sense of loss that Theatro Technis announces the passing of its beloved founder, George Eugeniou," it read.

It went on to describe him as "a visionary artist, a tireless advocate for cultural expression, and a true pioneer in the world of theatre".

George was born in Limassol, Cyprus, and came to London in 1950 to study theatre. He earned a scholarship to the Webber Douglas Academy, where he won awards for his acting.

His early career included working at Dundee Rep as an assistant stage manager, joining an amateur Cypriot group under the guidance of fellow actor Paul Stassino, performing in Donald Wolfit's company, and joining Joan Littlewood's famous Theatre Workshop in Stratford East, where he appeared in several productions including the Quare Fellow by Brendan Behan.

He founded Theatro Technis (meaning work, art, craft) with four fellow actors in 1957 in a garage in Camden Mews that they shared with the owner's car.

While performing in pubs, cafes and small venues around London, the theatre also established the Cypriot Advisory Service, offering counselling and assistance in housing, welfare, human rights, benefits, family life, refugees and immigration.

In 1972 they operated out of a disused railway shed in York Way, but when it was redeveloped in 1978 they took over an old church house and hall in Crowndale Road.

It became a space serving both the UK Cypriot community and local working class immigrant communities.

George's mission was to provide a platform for creativity, inclusivity, and cultural exchange, and over the decades he transformed the theatre into a vibrant cultural hub, which nurtured emerging talent, produced innovative and often international work, and gave a platform to diverse and unheard voices.

As artistic director, he wrote, adapted, produced and directed hundreds of plays - mainly adaptations of Greek classics - as well as musicals, short films, workshops, and community programs.

Marilyn Panayi, chair of the board of Theatro Technis, said: "George Eugeniou was more than a founder; he was the heart and soul of Theatro Technis. His passion for the arts and belief in their ability to use theatre to transform lives will continue to inspire us all. He leaves behind an indelible legacy."

In 2022 the 120-seat venue offered a home to the displaced Gate Theatre and has continued to be a space for creative expression and cultural dialogue, staging plays by Sanaz Toossi and Sami Ibrahim.

A book of condolence is now open in the Front Room of the theatre in honour of George’s life, and Theatro Technis will host a public memorial celebration in the spring.

George leaves his wife, Maroulla and son Aris "with love and cherished memories".

Director

Medea (1982)

Medea

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Director

1982

 

Actor

Clinton Greyn and Veronica Strong in Virgin of the Secret Service (1968)

Virgin of the Secret Service

7.6

TV Series

1st Guard (as George Eugenio)

1968

1 episode

 

Theatre 625 (1964)

Theatre 625

7.6

TV Series

Ship's officer

1966

1 episode

 

Donald Pleasence and Betsy Blair in Love Story (1963)

Love Story

7.1

TV Series

The waiterGreek waiter #1

1965–1966

2 episodes

 

That Riviera Touch (1966)

That Riviera Touch

5.8

Marcel

1966

 

Nigel Patrick in Zero One (1962)

Zero One

8.5

TV Series

Waiter

1965

1 episode

 

Drama 61-67 (1961)

Drama 61-67

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Algerian

1964

1 episode

 

Patrick McGoohan in Secret Agent (1964)

Secret Agent

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Immigration Officer

1964

1 episode

 

Reginald Marsh, Barbara Murray, and Patrick Wymark in The Plane Makers (1963)

The Plane Makers

7.8

TV Series

Second Officer

1964

1 episode

 

Craig Stevens in Man of the World (1962)

Man of the World

7.3

TV Series

LuisStefano

1962–1963

2 episodes

 

Michael Quinn and Donald Wolfit in Ghost Squad (1961)

Ghost Squad

7.2

TV Series

Dr. DiazHassan

1962–1963

2 episodes

 

Sparrows Can't Sing (1963)

Sparrows Can't Sing

6.2

Man at Party (uncredited)

1963

 

The Interrogator

TV Movie

Interpreter

1961

 

The Kitchen (1961)

The Kitchen

6.3

Nick

1961

 

Bob Dylan, David Warner, Ursula Howells, Reg Lye, and Maureen Pryor in The Madhouse on Castle Street (1963)

BBC Sunday-Night Play

8.6

TV Series

Italian Miner

1960

1 episode

 

Patrick McGoohan in Danger Man (1960)

Danger Man

7.9

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Barman

1960

1 episode

 

Scotland Yard

8.3

TV Series

Andreas Christodoulou

1960

1 episode

 

Karlheinz Böhm, Anna Massey, and Moira Shearer in Peeping Tom (1960)

Peeping Tom

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Assistant at Photographic Studio (uncredited)

1960

 

ITV Television Playhouse (1955)

ITV Television Playhouse

8.2

TV Series

Orderly

1960

1 episode

 

Dial 999 (1958)

Dial 999

7.1

TV Series

LeLong

1959

1 episode

 

Michael Rennie in The Third Man (1959)

The Third Man

7.7

TV Series

Porter

1959

1 episode

 

World Theatre (1959)

World Theatre

6.7

TV Mini Series

Citizen

1959

1 episode

 

BBC Sunday-Night Theatre (1950)

BBC Sunday-Night Theatre

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TV Series

BoghosNaguacu

1956–1959

2 episodes

 

The Angry Hills (1959)

The Angry Hills

5.7

1959

 

Hell, Heaven or Hoboken (1958)

Hell, Heaven or Hoboken

6.9

Garcia

1958

 

The Truth About Melandrinos

TV Series

Malandrinos

1958

 

The Power and the Glory

TV Movie

Indian man

1957

 

Overseas Press Club - Exclusive! (1957)

Overseas Press Club - Exclusive!

6.8

TV Series

Petros

1957

1 episode

 

John Gregson and Belinda Lee in Miracle in Soho (1957)

Miracle in Soho

5.7

Expresso Owner

1957

 

Kill Me Tomorrow (1957)

Kill Me Tomorrow

5.3

Nico

1957

 

Night Ambush (1957)

Night Ambush

6.5

Charis Zographakis

1957

 

Jack Warner in Dixon of Dock Green (1955)

Dixon of Dock Green

6.9

TV Series

Nick

1955

1 episode

 

I Am a Camera (1955)

I Am a Camera

6.3

Clive's Party Guest (uncredited)

1955

 

Producer

Medea (1982)

Medea

Video

producer

1982

 

Editor

Medea (1982)

Medea

Video

Editor

1982

 

Self

George Eugeniou, Ellie Jeffreys, Julia Lacey, Jerry Anton, John-Paul Brennan, Katarina Homolova, and Philip Barr in Inside Theatro Technis (2015)

Inside Theatro Technis

Short

Self

2015