ABOUT

The most frequently asked question is 'why are we called Big Squirrel Productions?'. The answer is boringly simple, I like the word 'squirrel'. I assume all writers have their favourite words. mine are about sound not meaning with squirrel top of the list (particularly the way Americans pronounce it) closely followed by 'hoof' and 'pixelated'. If I had thrown care to the winds it would have been called 'The Pixelated Hoofing Squirrels Production Company', but then I realise that would have just been stupid so I settled for Big Squirrel Productions.

Big Squirrel Productions was formed in 2010 because, after writing plays for twenty-five years, I felt it was time I moved on from predominately real time one set plays to something more time shifting and fringy with the odd fantasy scene thrown in for good measure. I wanted to explore personal themes, rather than plots, with the opportunity to go deeper in characterisations at one end and have moments of extreme silliness at the other. So after a run of my own works ; 'A Middle-Aged Man's Uncertainty Theory,' 'Chrysalis,' and 'Alana', in 2016 I combined with my daughter to write and direct two pantomimes for the Edinburgh Fringe, the old classics - 'ALADDIN' and 'CINDERELLA', performing to sell-out audiences (which was quite a shock for the Fringe!) At the end of 2016 I passed over the reigns to Kattreya to become 'Artistic Director', whilst I took a step back and placed myself as 'Honorary President'.

A word from the founder; Stephen Scheurer-Smith

A word from the Artistic Director; Kattreya Scheurer-Smith

I've been on the theatre scene ever since I can remember, there's a photo of me being brought onto the stage when I was just 9 months old at a production of my father's. When I was 13 my dad gave me the chance to appear in one of his plays as 'Taylor', a non-filtered teenage gardener who didn't appear until page 13 (something along those lines, if that's exact that would be an amazing coincidence!)

When I was given the role of 'Artistic Director', my imagination went wild with the endless possibilities of all of the productions I'd produce. So my first venture was Jez Butterworth's 'The River' playing at Corpus Playrooms to sell out audiences, receiving rave reviews and glowing audience feedback. However, when looking for my next production I just couldn't find exactly what I wanted. Where was that quirky two-hander I so desired? Months went by of reading endless scripts and I just thought - 'screw it!' If I can't find it, if it's not there, I'll write it! So 'Uke Belong To Me' was born, and in fact the irony is, I had planned to take over and produce all of the published work out there but actually I'm just following in my father's footsteps and I love playwrighting almost as much as performing!