Scotland's only major rural theatre has just appointed one of its most recognizable stars as artistic director. At 60 years old, Alan Cumming is embracing his creative roots by putting together an ambitious season that showcases big names alongside lesser-known talent.
Cumming's passion for theatre was sparked at his Angus primary school, where a visit from Scottish actress Maureen Beattie had a lasting impact on him. This year, she plays the role of King Lear in a bold reinterpretation directed by Finn den Hertog. For Cumming, it offers an opportunity to challenge conventional interpretations and put women's perspectives front and center.
The new season includes a mix of musicals, including the Scottish premiere of Once, featuring original Broadway creative team members, as well as world premieres from acclaimed playwright Martin Sherman starring Simon Russell Beale. Award-winning actor Sally Reid will be directing another new production, Inexperience, a comedy by Douglas Maxwell, with National Theatre stalwarts Adura Onashile and Sandy Grierson.
Cumming's plan for Pitlochry Festival Theatre includes using his own star power to bring attention to the theatre, which he believes could benefit from more recognition. "I'm not just putting on nice plays," he emphasizes. "Every single one of these shows has a personal connection to me."
One aspect of Cumming's vision is setting up weekend festivals, including Winter Words and Out in the Hills, which celebrate literature, music, and LGBTQ+ culture. The events will feature Armistead Maupin, Graham Norton, and Evelyn Glennie.
Cumming also values collaboration with local artists and aims to increase engagement from the community. He believes that the theatre should not only serve audiences but also provide a space for people to come together and experience art. This ambition is reflected in his decision to forgo his own salary and establish partnerships with nearby hotels, which will help to sustain the theatre financially.
During a visit to the weekly sketching club at the theatre, Cumming emphasized that every aspect of the building – not just the performances on stage – contributes to its overall experience. The actor has also been known to DJ at events, including a recent party at Winter Words, where he was delighted by the turnout.
The artistic director's dedication to innovation and community engagement aligns with Pitlochry Festival Theatre's history of taking risks and pushing boundaries. By embracing new ideas and collaborations, Cumming is determined to make this theatre not only a major force in Scottish arts but also a beloved hub for the local community.
Cumming's passion for theatre was sparked at his Angus primary school, where a visit from Scottish actress Maureen Beattie had a lasting impact on him. This year, she plays the role of King Lear in a bold reinterpretation directed by Finn den Hertog. For Cumming, it offers an opportunity to challenge conventional interpretations and put women's perspectives front and center.
The new season includes a mix of musicals, including the Scottish premiere of Once, featuring original Broadway creative team members, as well as world premieres from acclaimed playwright Martin Sherman starring Simon Russell Beale. Award-winning actor Sally Reid will be directing another new production, Inexperience, a comedy by Douglas Maxwell, with National Theatre stalwarts Adura Onashile and Sandy Grierson.
Cumming's plan for Pitlochry Festival Theatre includes using his own star power to bring attention to the theatre, which he believes could benefit from more recognition. "I'm not just putting on nice plays," he emphasizes. "Every single one of these shows has a personal connection to me."
One aspect of Cumming's vision is setting up weekend festivals, including Winter Words and Out in the Hills, which celebrate literature, music, and LGBTQ+ culture. The events will feature Armistead Maupin, Graham Norton, and Evelyn Glennie.
Cumming also values collaboration with local artists and aims to increase engagement from the community. He believes that the theatre should not only serve audiences but also provide a space for people to come together and experience art. This ambition is reflected in his decision to forgo his own salary and establish partnerships with nearby hotels, which will help to sustain the theatre financially.
During a visit to the weekly sketching club at the theatre, Cumming emphasized that every aspect of the building – not just the performances on stage – contributes to its overall experience. The actor has also been known to DJ at events, including a recent party at Winter Words, where he was delighted by the turnout.
The artistic director's dedication to innovation and community engagement aligns with Pitlochry Festival Theatre's history of taking risks and pushing boundaries. By embracing new ideas and collaborations, Cumming is determined to make this theatre not only a major force in Scottish arts but also a beloved hub for the local community.
he's literally bringing his A-game with a sick season lineup, including world premieres and musicals. I love how he's using his own star power to raise awareness for the theatre - it's about time this amazing venue gets the recognition it deserves! 
his commitment to community engagement and LGBTQ+ culture is also everything, especially those weekend festivals celebrating literature, music, and art 
... alan cumming's all about using his 'star power' to bring attention to the theatre, but it's not like they weren't already getting some decent funding from the arts council or whatever... what really gets me is that he's gonna forgo his own salary, but hotels are gonna get a cut of the action 
... and have you seen the lineup for this season? its all just one big name after another, where's the diversity? 
- I mean, who better to shake things up than the man himself? But at the same time, I'm worried that he's going to be too self-promotional and forget about the actual plays 
. And don't even get me started on his decision to DJ at events - what's next, hosting his own podcast?! 
But seriously, I do love that he's prioritizing community engagement and collaborations with local artists 
On the other hand, have you seen those old videos of him on YouTube from when he was younger - he looks so different now 
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. I love that he's putting women's perspectives front and center in his shows, especially with Maureen Beattie playing King Lear - she's an inspiration! 
. It's all about bringing the community together and celebrating the arts in a way that feels authentic and inclusive 
. Can't wait to see what he has in store for us! 
! As someone who loves theatre, I think it's awesome that he's bringing his passion and creative energy to the role. The new season looks incredibly exciting with a mix of big names and lesser-known talent, not to mention the commitment to showcasing women's perspectives and LGBTQ+ culture 
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. Cumming's vision for Pitlochry Festival Theatre is all about innovation, community engagement, and making theatre accessible to everyone. Fingers crossed he'll make it happen!
just saw that a massive oil spill happened off the coast of South Africa 
it's going to take years to clean up and affect marine life for generations 
