Splinters"the double take becomes an art-form"
(the scotsman)
For The Islands I Sing"the magic of splinters story telling enthrals all"
(the orcadian)
Home To Neverland"a simply stunning production"
(the courier)
The Matchmaker"The most moving, the most hilarious, the most engaging piece of theatre I have seen in a long time."
(Joyce Gunn Cairns MBE)
Splinters Productions, the story so far....
When Anton Chekhov was a young medical student in Moscow he contributed numerous comic stories to a humorous magazine called 'Oskolki' - a title which translates into English as fragments or splinters.
In 1996, John Shedden devised a show for Prime Productions around these Chekhovian tales and called this show `Splinters' - "with Shedden and McLean, the double - take becomes an art-form – Laurel and Hardy meets Freud" - The Scotsman. The following year, John Shedden and colleague Finlay McLean decided to found their own theatre company and to retain the name.
Since then, Splinters Productions has endeavoured to tour quality drama to small and medium scale venues. Their first production "Postman's Knock", directed by Rose McBain, was a collection of the world's funniest letters in performance. The Stage said "Remarkably, eloquent, witty entertainment". The Edinburgh Evening News, "Sheer literary delight". Then followed a double bill of solo plays `Lady Bracknell's Confinement and "Wendlebury Day" exploring themes of deception and delusion. "Shedden gives a riveting, marvellously studied and inspired performance as Lady Bracknell" (The Scotsman). "Finlay McLean's performance in Wendlebury Day is convincing and accomplished" (The Stage).
Then, to celebrate its "Fringe 2000" the company was invited to bring their repertoire of plays; including Compton MacKenzie's classic "Whisky Galore" and the tribute to Robert Louis Stevenson "The Laird of Samoa" to Pitlochry. The next production was Andrew Dallmeyers' play "Opium Eater" The Herald said "John Shedden and Finlay McLean give bravura performances in this brilliant BAFTA winning two hander".
In 2002, John and Finlay were joined by Anna Hepburn and Donald Smith (Director of the Scottish Storytelling Centre) to produce "Memory Hill" (about David Octavius Hill) at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, thus forming a new extended company. There followed three more powerful productions: Brian Friel's "Faith Healer" - "a well-crafted script backed up by powerful acting - it is a wonderful advertisement for the English language and a tribute to good, old fashioned acting values" (Perth Evening Telegraph), and two popular productions which remain part of Splinters Productions current repertoire - George Mackay Brown's "For the Islands I Sing" and a celebration of the work of lain Crichton Smith called "Scot of the Anarchic".
Commenting on Splinters style of presentation, (The Orcadian) review noted: - "The ensemble playing of the company of actors set a rare standard - the magic of the storytelling enthrals all".
In September 2006, Splinters Productions became a voluntary association and in April 2007 was granted charitable status (Charity Number SCO 037999).
Continuing the company policy of bringing Scotland's literary heritage to the community - an exciting new production, exploring the complex life of J. M. Barrie, creator of Peter Pan, was premiered at the Scottish Storytelling Centre during the Edinburgh Festival, Fringe 2007. "Never has the genius of Barrie's insight into human nature been more clearly brought to life than by the hugely talented Splinters Productions team ……a simply stunning production". - The Courier.
This presentation, entitled "Home to Neverland - A Window on J. M. Barrie" toured extensively throughout 2008, 2009 and 2010. the company were particularly pleased to recieve invitations from both the Kirriemuir Heritage Trust and the Peter Pan/Moat Brae Trust (promoted on TV by Joanna Lumley) to participate in their respective Festivals, celebrating the life and work of the acclaimed writer.
A new production, "The Matchmaker" by J B Keane (Adapted by Literary Director - Donald Smith) premiered at the Scottish Story Telling Centre in April 2011 and will returned there during the Edinburgh Festival Fringe of that year. This production is now available for bookings.