Chris Brown, 19, poured his life savings into turning critically-acclaimed 1980s comedy hit Big in to a musical which was performed at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland’s Athenaeum Theatre last weekend.

Chris was inspired to embark on the project after seeing the film while working as a children’s entertainer at a summer camp in the US last year.

The show was a roaring success, selling around 2,000 tickets in its six-night run at the Glasgow city centre venue.

Chris told the Gazette: “The cast and myself are all gutted that the show is over, as the cast became one ‘Big’ family!

“Like any production the show week has its ups and downs and there was lots of major changes from Monday to Saturday which the cast dealt with very professionally. They all made me very proud.” Big is a fantasy-comedy film starring Tom Hanks, about a boy who makes a wish to be ‘big’ at a magic wish machine – only to wake up the next morning in an adult body.

After landing a grown-up job at a toy company, he impresses the owner with his knowledge and child-like enthusiasm and he is soon promoted to the dream role of toy tester.

Chris, a HND Theatre student who formerly attended Mearns Castle High School, had to cast for over sixty roles for the production – which received over 150 applications last year.

He pulled out all the stops for the show, which involved blowing most of his budget on recreating the iconic light-up piano for the main characters to dance on — which handymen in his family helped build for him.

Chris added: “We also had a pyrotechnic waterfall on the Friday evening for the finale.

“Seeing the smiles on everyone’s faces was unbelievable.” Chris, who is currently working in the US before planning his next theatrical venture, also offered some advice for budding impresarios who are thinking of following a similar path.

He added: “Taking on a huge challenge like this is very daunting. Although there is a huge financial risk, I think it’s really important for anyone doing the same thing to remember why you are doing it — for fun.”