Now that the Summer light dwindles and the entire roster of 2024 shows from Pitlochry has emerged across all three stages, the chill of Autumn and Winter heralds in – but rather than dwell on what was, we look towards the new 2025 season at Pitlochry Festival Theatre after a booming 2024 showcase that saw Scottish repertoire theatre at the heart of its season yet again, two outstanding première dramas in the studio space, opera belted into the wilderness of the Amphitheatre and one hell of a Scottish in-house duo of musical productions in Footloose and Beautiful: A Carole King Musical.
The theatre’s artistic director, Elizabeth Newman, had this to say about the upcoming season in their last year in the role:
“I am so excited to share the news of our Summer Season 2025. We’re thrilled to create new productions of classic stories like The 39 Steps, Grease and The Great Gatsby, which will be co-produced with Derby Theatre. We know audiences will be pleased to hear that we are bringing back Nan Shepherd: Naked and Unashamed with Firebrand Theatre Company after its sold-out run, and Sunshine on Leith also returns by popular demand for a short sojourn before it embarks on its initial tour.
But that’s not all—we’re incredibly proud to continue our mission of championing new Scottish work. This season features four brand-new plays, including This is a Gift by Kolbrún Björt Sigfúsdóttir and A Toast Fae The Lassies by John Binnie and Alyson Orr, alongside exciting collaborations like Water Colour by Milly Sweeney with the Byre Theatre and Nessie by Shonagh Murray with Capital Theatres as part of our important Musicals Commissioning Hub. This vibrant array of new work showcases the extraordinary talent within the Scottish theatre community.”
We can’t wait to welcome both familiar faces and new friends to the Theatre next summer, as we continue our journey of sharing Pitlochry with the world and the world with Pitlochry.“
So what can audiences expect? Time to stock up on the hair gel, get out the disguises and be ready to experience an explosion of fresh world premières, classic capers, and a couple of surprises as we hunt for the Loch Ness Monster herself…
The main auditorium will continue this year’s success of staging familiar musicals with Scottish casts, this time with the juggernaut of firm favourite Grease, in a co-production with Blackpool Grand Theatre. For non-member ticket holders, we recommend grabbing a ticket for this as early as possible – given the popularity of the musical and this dynamic duo in production helms.
But big laughs return to the main auditorium too, this time with the infamous The 39 Steps, a classic piece of farce theatre looking to make up for this year’s missing classical comedic piece (though that’s not to say humour wasn’t to be found in terrific shows like Footloose, The Brenda Line, and Shirley Valentine).
For many, the goings on within the studio space prove where the small but mighty force of Pitlochry’s talents lie – with five productions, four premieres, and one returning. With a commitment to providing a space for new Scottish works, this year will see a plethora of shows making their debut, like John Binnie and Alyson Orr’s A Toast Fae the Lassies and the supremely talented likes of familiar creatives, Kolbrún Björt Sigfúsdóttir, and the St Andrew’s Playwrighting Award Winner Milly Sweeney’s Water Colour – in a co-production with the Byre Theatre. Oh, and if you feel adventurous, Capital Theatre and Pitlochry may well have something truly magical with Nessie through the pair’s vital Musicals Commissioning Hub piece in the hunt for Scotland’s next big musical.
Tickets for the 2025 season will go on sale to existing Pitlochry Festival Theatre members on Monday 2nd September 2024 and on general sale on Monday 16th September 2024. For further information on tickets and productions, visit www.pitlochryfestivaltheatre.com or call 01796 484626.
Water Colour – Presented by Byre Theatre and Pitlochry Festival Theatre
9th – 17th May: The Studio
“The Clyde is made up of three rivers,
Two strangers,
One moment.
A moment that starts now.”
Finding herself standing on the railings of one of the bridges spanning the Clyde, Esme is at an all-time low. By chance, she meets a boy who could change her life forever. A boy she might never see again.
Meanwhile, Harris is thriving. When walking home one night, he sees a girl standing on a bridge, about to do something awful. A girl he may never see again.
Starting The Studio season for 2025, Pitlochry will host a co-production with the Byre Theatre for the premiere of St Andrews Playwriting Award-winning Milly Sweeney’s Water Colour: an explosive piece on mental illness, families, and opening yourself to the world and our connections with strangers.
Evening Performances (20:30pm): May 9th, 10th, 13th, 14th, 15th, 16th & 17th
Matinee Performances (14:30pm): May 10th, 14th, 15th & 17th
Nan Shepherd: Naked and Unashamed –
A co-production between Pitlochry Festival Theatre and Firebrand Theatre Company in association with Dr Kerri Andrews
30th May – 14th June: The Studio
It would be an understatement to say that we’re thrilled that this lovely theatre is returning to a theatrical home in the landscape it so beautifully captures.
Pitlochry Festival Theatre and Firebrand Theatre Company (in association with Dr Kerri Andrews)’s Nan Shepherd: Naked and Unashamed captured hearts and critical acclaim when it premiered in the Pitlochry studio space earlier this year.
Richard Baron and Ellie Zeegan’s entertaining, touching, and celebratory piece of verse and colour reveals how iconic Scottish author, hillwalker, teacher, and nature lover Nan Shepherd shaped the very landscape of Scotland’s recent literary history and solves why her masterpiece, The Living Mountain, spent so many years forgotten in a drawer.
Not sure what to expect? Good. But if you want to have a sneak peek at this triumphant returning two-hander, then Have a Gander at our review of the sold-out run from earlier in the year.
Evening Performances (20.00pm): May: 30th & 31st. June: 3rd, 4th,5th, 10th, 11th & 12th
Matinee Performances (14.30pm): May: 31st. June June: 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 11th, 12th, 13th & 14th
Cast TBC
Grease – A Pitlochry Festival Theatre and Blackpool Grand Theatre production
18th June – 27th September: The Main Auditorium
You know the story, I know the story, we all know the story. BUT. For those who just might not have seen the electrifying world of Rydell High School in the fifties, the whirlwind romantic goings-on of popular ‘greaser’ Danny Zuko, new girl Sandy Dumbrowski, and their band of classmates has captured hearts for decades now in the much-loved musical Grease.
The summer-loving dramas of a high school romance are at the centre of this co-production between Pitlochry and Blackpool Grand Theatre, with Grease set to continue the venue’s tradition of opening the show with a big-scale musical. Promising a fresh take on the story, expect outfits galore, laughter, big-drama, and iconic songs like Greased Lightnin,’ You’re the One that I Want, and There Are Worse Things I Could Do.
Evening Performances (19:30pm): June: 18th, 19th, 20th (at 19:00pm) & 21 st. July: 2nd, 3rd, 5th,16th, 19th & 30th . August: 5th, 15th,16th, 21st,22nd, 27th. September: 5th, 12th, 18th, 23rd & 27th
Matinee Performances (14.00pm): June: 21 st. September: 6th, 13th 19th & 24th
Audio described: 30th July at 19:30 pm & 6th August at 2:00 pm. Captioned performance: 23rd August at 14:00 pm. Relaxed and Dementia performance: 6th September
The Great Gatsby – A Pitlochry Festival Theatre and Derby Theatre Production
27th June – 25th September
Leaving the theatre with a stellar season in tow, Pitlochry Festival Theatre’s Artistic Director Elizabeth Newman’s new adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby will bring the glitz, glamour, and indulgent times of the Jazz Age to the hills of Scotland.
The first in a series of partnerships with other venues, The Great Gatsby will be a co-production with Derby Theatre and directed by their Artistic Director Sarah Brigham. One of literature’s most enduring masterpieces – after Newman’s triumphant success with A Streetcar Named Desire (coming to Edinburgh’s Lyceum later this year), there’s plenty to look forward to for this exciting world where the dreams as grand, but the inevitable nightmares of reality awaits.
Evening Performances (19:30pm): June: 27th & 28th. July: 1st, 4th, 17th, 18th & 31st. August: 1st, 9th, 14th, 19th. September: 4th, 9th, 19th & 24th
Matinee Performances(14:30pm): July: 2nd, 5th. August: 10th, 20th & 30th. September: 5th, 10th, 20th & 25th
Nessie – A Capital Theatres and Pitlochry Festival Theatre Production
9th July – 16th August: The Studio
On the banks of Bruachness, the news of a monster in the Loch spurs a mania as tourists, scientists, and curious minds flock to catch a glimpse of the famous creature. But amidst it all, a sinister plot hatches to use the monster’s appearance to disguise nefarious deeds at the local Hydro plant.
Making its way from Edinburgh to Pitlochry, slinking along the River Tay, The Studio will welcome the brand-new Scottish musical Nessie in their co-production with Capital Theatres. Featuring book, music, and lyrics by Shonagh Murray, a young biologist’s encounter with Nessie celebrates friendship, valour, and the courage to follow your heart.
Afternoon Performances (14:30pm): July: 9th,12th, 17th,19th, 31st. August: 2nd, 7th, 9th, 14th & 16th
The 39 Steps
11th July – 26th September
Summer will see a new production of Patrick Barlow’ssmash hit comedy, The 39 Steps, hit the Pitlochry Main Auditorium. Performed by a mere four actors, taking on 150 roles, this lighting-paced adaptation of Alfred Hitchcock’s classic film takes audiences into a world of farcical slapstick, mystery, and espionage.
Unwittingly embroiled in a plot, after (what else) but a chance encounter with a beautiful spy, dashing Richard Hannay is on the run. With the spy found dead and Hannay the main suspect, expect physical comedy galore as Hannay seeks to clear his name and the nation from conspiracy.
Evening Performances (19.30pm): July: 11, 12 & 15th. August: 2nd, 7th, 12th, 20th, 28th. September: 2nd, 6th, 11th & 25th
Matinee Performances (14.00pm): July: 16th. August: 13th, 21st. September: 3rd, 12th & 26th
Captioned performance: 21st August at 14:00pm. Audio described: 3rd September at 14:00pm. Relaxed and Dementia performance: 12th September at 14:00pm. British Sign Language performance: 17th September at 14:00pm
Sunshine on Leith
25th July – 27th September
Songs of The Proclaimers – check.
Reference to Edinburgh and Scottish life – check
A touching tale of a trio of hapless lovers – check
A joyous celebration of life, love, and honesty – check
Oh, aye, you can’t keep a classic down for long.
Back due to overwhelming demand, the Pitlochry Festival Theatre’s recent smash-hit take on Sunshine on Leith has warmly gripped audiences now for two full runs, as it follows soldiers Davy and Ally as they return to home from Afghanistan, only to find Edinburgh isn’t quite what they remember.
Not entirely sure what to expect? Or perhaps you’d just like to take a stroll down memory lane back to the production that captured the hearts of Pitlochry, which is now ready to take on audiences once more. Have a Gander at our review of the 2022 production of Sunshine on Leith
Evening Performances (19.30pm): July: 25th, 26th, 29th. August: 6th, 13th, 23rd & 26th. September: 3rd, 13th, 17th, 20th & 26th
Matinee Performances (14.30pm): July: 30th. September: 14th & 27th
Audio described & Captioned: 14th September at 14:00pm
A Toast Fae the Lassies
29th August – 24th September: The Studio
The life of Robert Burns left a wake of hurt for the women in his life. After his death, in a silent graveyard in Dumfries, his mother remembers the boy who gave Scotland its voice. Only to share the moment with Burn’s widow, Jean Armour, mother to his nine children. Bound by a shared history and unresolved issues, they clash.
But maybe, hidden out of sight, they find a common enemy in the third woman in Burn’s life – his muse and soulmate, Clarinda.
Bringing to light the often overlooked role of the women in Burns’ life, a new musical play, A Toast Fae the Lassies, explores the poet’s legacy through their perspectives. Featuring the poetry and songs of Burns in a new light from John Binnie, with musical arrangements and additional music by Alyson Orr, this production gives shape to the women who, in their own right, helped shape the legacy of Scotland’s greatest poet.
Afternoon Performances (20:00pm): August: 29th & 30th. September: 10th & 24th
Evening Performances (14:30pm) September: 4th, 18th
This is a Gift
27th June – 25th September
An exciting time, June will see the world première of Kolbrún Björt Sigfúsdóttir’s new play, This is a Gift, takes to the Pitlochry Studio space. One of the Royal Shakespeare Company’s 37 plays and featured on the longlist for the Women’s Prize for Playwriting, this contemporary take on the Greek myth of Midas examines class, care, and consequences in a new light.
Set in Leith, Zoe is heading off to university. Dad is struggling, but they don’t discuss it. It’s summer, and the sun shines, but it won’t be the only glittering golden presence for long. A fateful encounter and a life saved comes with a wish that the pair soon regret – all magic comes with a price.
Evening Performances (20:00pm): June 24th & 25th
Matinee Performances (14:30pm): June 28th. July: 3rd. September: 5th & 11th
Tickets for the 2025 season will go on sale to existing Pitlochry Festival Theatre members on Monday 2nd September 2024 and on general sale on Monday 16th September 2024. For further information on tickets and productions, visit http://www.pitlochryfestivaltheatre.com or call 01796 484626.
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