Two friends are going somewhere new, with some things that they know and some that they don’t. Everyone tells them they are big and ready, so why do they sometimes feel so small? Will this new adventure be exciting or scary? Have they packed their bags with all the right things? Can their friends come too? Who are these big new people everywhere? They need help to work it out! They need to be as brave as a dinosaur or a superhero!

BIG is a theatre clown show for 3-5 year olds looking at what it is like to be small in a big world and starting somewhere new. It was developed with nursery children across Scotland who were about to go through the transition process to Primary One.

BIG was developed in collaboration with three Nursery schools (Glasgow, Edinburgh and Perth & Kinross) before touring in 2016.  BIG toured again in 2019 and 2021

Creative Team

Performers – Fiona Ferrier and Rachel Colles

Directors – Maria Oller/Nick Bone

Designer – Katie Innes

Filmmaker – Kelman Greig-Kicks

BIG toured 2018, 2019 and 2021.  We intend to tour BIG again in the future. Sign up to our newsletter to be kept up-to-date.

“There have been various shows and performances at the school but nothing that engaged the children like yours” – Nursery head Robert Douglas Memorial Primary School.

“That was perfect. It was a perfect show. There is nothing else out there like it. The children loved it. You were the kids and they were you.” Deputy Head, East Craigs Primary School, Edinburgh.

“I’ve worked in this nursery for nine years and I’ve never seen the children so engaged for so long” staff member, Cowgate Under Fives

“The kids were super engaged throughout. Very funny. High energy. Excellent interaction. Best kids show I’ve seen.”

“My son, who is 6 and in primary 1, laughed the whole way though. He started school last year and still finds aspects of it difficult, so while the show is about starting school I think it is also relevant to children in P 1 & 2, not only can they relate to the difficulties and fears expressed by the characters, but it also shows them how far they have come in terms of understanding and coping with the school environment. He really wanted to engage with both of you after the show – this is quite unusual. I think it’s because he saw you as friends, enjoying the same things he does, he could totally relate to both of the characters. As an adult, I also found it clever, captivating and hilarious. We all would love to see it again.”

“Actors were very much in touch with the world/concerns/interests/humour of this age group.”

“Simplicity but sending a good message to young children facing changes, challenging by simply being BRAVE and also learning to be Big is not an obstacle. Loved it and funny too.”

“Bright and colourful. Captured the feelings around transition very well. Language pitched at right level. Well done, you should be travelling round all the nursery classes!!”