Paper/Scissors/Stone started life as the Other Theatre Company. The OTC was created by director Derek Bond to mount a production of The Censor by Anthony Neilson. James Perkins designed it, and the pair started planning more productions for the future. When they mounted Genet’s The Maids at the Etcetera Theatre, James introduced Sally Ferguson as lighting designer.

As a trio, Derek, James & Sally then worked on The Wonder! A Woman Keeps a Secret (Time Out Show of the Week, Critics’ Choice, transferring to BAC for the Critics’ Choice Season), African Gothic and Colourings by Andrew Keatley (Time Out Critics’ Choice).

Working on these shows, the group developed their own style of working. They found they had a unique, visual style, born out of a collaborative approach to preparing and rehearsing. The direction, design and lighting all influence each other – an idea of how to light the play might suggest a particular mise-en-scene.

The group felt they had outgrown the Other Theatre Company, and were now something quite different. They are now a creative team for hire, bringing their visual style to a variety of productions.

Their maiden production was Girls & Dolls by Lisa McGee at the Old Red Lion Theatre in February 2009, and the three went on to work on two more productions in the next two months: Trying at the Finborough, followed by Saraband at the Jermyn Street. More information on those productions can be found here, and pictures can be seen here.