producing theatre for children and young people

About Us

Gill Robertson set up Catherine Wheels in 1999, collaborating with practitioners Jay Manley and Annie Wood (now Director of Polka Theatre) to create the company’s first production, Martha.

The response to the show was so immense that it has remained in the repertoire ever since, performing at theatres throughout the UK, Ireland and North America, taking in Broadway on the way.

In 2002, Catherine Wheels produced Lifeboat by Nicola McCartney, winning the Barclays Stage Award for Best Show for Children and Young People. The Company was nominated again in 2003 for The Story of the Little Gentleman. These successes have established Catherine Wheels as a leading producer of theatre for children and young people.

Supported by the Scottish Arts Council, Catherine Wheels is based at the Brunton Theatre in Musselburgh, near Edinburgh where East Lothian Council provide office and rehearsal space, and a starting point for tours.

Director Gill Robertson

Gill Robertson is the founder and Artistic Director of Catherine Wheels. She has worked as a director and actor throughout Scotland.

Her credits as a director include Lifeboat and Cyrano for Catherine Wheels; The Purple Potting Shed for Topiary Dance; Cinderella and Spend a Penny for Shona Reppe Puppets; Chasing Angels for Complete Productions; Giant Steps and Bill’s New Frock for Visible Fictions. As a performer: Martha, Red and Frankenstein for Catherine Wheels; Cinderella and A Midsummer’s Nights Dream for the Brunton Theatre; The Snow Baby and Holly and Ivy, both Catherine Wheels/ macrobert Christmas co-productions.

Producer Paul Fitzpatrick

Paul Fitzpatrick joined Catherine Wheels in 2002 and has produced: Cyrano, The Snow Baby and The Story of the Little Gentleman. He is the founder of Complete Productions (1996) producing: The Chrysalids (David Harrower), Chasing Angels (Rhiannon Tise), Waiting Room (Isabel Wright), The Colourbox (devised) and Cut to the Chase (Christopher Deans). He was a mentor and dramaturg during Aberdeen City Moves’ Dance for a Young Audience residency (2003), and was awarded an MPhil in Dramaturgy with distinction from the University of Glasgow (2000).