“Shh” Happens: Cyprus shoots for Eurovision glory

If there’s one act bound to give health and safety officers a nervous twitch during tonight’s Eurovision 2025 semi-final, it’s Cyprus. Their entry, Shh, performed by Theo Evan, features scaffolding, suspension, geometric angst, and more artistic ambition than a GCSE drama coursework project.

A Eurovision first (sort of)

At 22, Theo Evan—born Evangelos Theodorou—is Cyprus’s first native son to represent the island since 2017. Not content with merely hitting his marks, he’s decided to launch himself into the air mid-performance. Think Vitruvian Man meets Cirque du Soleil after three double espressos.

Theo’s spent the last week in Basel doing things to his abs that would make a Pilates instructor weep. His on-stage routine involves climbing, dangling, singing, and giving it passion—all without pausing for breath.

Da Vinci Code: the Eurovision edition

Theo’s artistic muse is none other than Leonardo da Vinci. Specifically, the Vitruvian Man. “He’s not perfect,” Theo says, “because we all have secrets.”

Insert your own Shh pun here.

The staging leans into this high concept with geometric structures and visuals that straddle the line between art installation and an IKEA flat-pack. Think symmetrical shapes, sharp lighting transitions, and a physicality that borders on punishing.

Team Cyprus pulls out the stops

This isn’t a one-man show. Shh comes courtesy of Eurovision veteran Dimitris Kontopoulos and some of the crew behind last year’s winning Swiss entry. It’s directed by Sergio Jaen, who previously did his best with Ireland in 2024 (draw your own conclusions).

Cyprus, still chasing that elusive win after 40 tries, clearly wants it this year. And they’re not phoning it in. From announcing Theo’s name last September (first out of the gate, keen as mustard) to his promotional tour through Oslo, Amsterdam, Manchester, London, and Madrid, it’s been full throttle.

Will it be enough?

Cyprus performs in the first semi-final tonight, going up against favourites from Sweden and Belgium. The competition’s fierce, the fans are expectant. But win or lose, Theo Evan’s performance is already a standout. It’s daring. It’s over-the-top. It’s Eurovision in its purest form. He says he just wants people to enjoy the show.

And unless someone else turns up in a Vitruvian rig mid-air yelling “Shh,” we suspect people will.