Have A Gander – Alan Cumming Named Artistic Director of Pitlochry Festival Theatre

Photo credit – Frederic Aranda

Ever since The Pitlochry Festival Theatre’s current Artistic Director, Elizabeth Newman, announced they were stepping down from the role to bring their exceptional talents to Sheffield’s Crucible Theatre, the flurry of natterings and rumours of who could possibly step into the role rippled.

And it would be a relatively fair thing to say that whoever’s name was thrown around, award-winning actor, artist, director, and writer Alan Cumming may not have been on the bookies radar. Following an extensive three-month recruitment drive and selection process, the Theatre is thrilled to announce the world-class talents of Cummings will be returning to the gateway of the Highlands. For any who may need to brush up on just how vast Cumming’s legacy truly is, it’s recommended to spend an hour or so at alancumming.com, about their debut at the Tron Theatre in Glasgow, his sensation run as the ‘MC’ in Cabaret, and the endless television roles, including the powerhouse Eli Gold in the CBS’ The Good Wife.

With the new season for Pitlochry Festival Theatre’s 2025 announced (including The Great Gatsby, The 39 Steps, and four new plays in the Theatre’s Studio), orchestrated by Newman, Cumming will join the Theatre from January 2025, with his debut season beginning in 2026. Speaking about his announcement, Cumming had plenty to say about how all avenues bring him back to two prominent spaces within his life:

“For me, all roads lead to the theatre, and all roads lead to Scotland. I am a theatre animal at heart, and, like Robert Burns, my heart is in the Highlands. To become Pitlochry Festival Theatre’s Artistic Director is a homecoming I embrace with all my experience, all my passion and, yes, all my heart.

This Theatre is a hidden gem with the most amazing facilities and boundless possibilities, and I will invite the world’s best theatre artists here and showcase the best of Scotland’s thrilling theatrical legacy. I want Pitlochry Festival Theatre to be a home for everyone and to remain at the heart of the community. And, to quote Burns again, ‘I will dare to be honest and fear no labour’. Above all, I cannot wait to share Pitlochry with the world, and the world with Pitlochry.”

On the announcement, current Artistic Director Newman has plenty of well-wishes and hopes for the Theatre’s future, and Cumming’s appointment:

“Quite simply, I cannot think of a better person to join Kris Bryce at the helm and write the next chapter of Pitlochry Festival Theatre’s story. Alan is an exceptional artist and an inspiring leader who will catapult the Theatre into new and exciting dialogues with artists and audiences here and around the world. I can’t wait to return to the Theatre in the future, as a member of the audience this time, to experience the impact of Alan’s artistic direction and the work of the world-class artists he will bring to Pitlochry.”

While Crawford Gillies, Chair of Pitlochry Festival Theatre and Kris Bryce, Executive Director, both expressed their support, Bryce adding:

“At Pitlochry Festival Theatre, we believe in the transformative power of our work. Since the moment we met, I have been completely won over by Alan’s passion – for theatre and for Scotland – by his energy and vision, and by his whole-hearted desire to join us as a steward of this very special place. Under his artistic leadership, I am confident we will continue to grow in our role as the nation’s most impactful producing theatre, delivering bold, innovative work that resonates with audiences here and right across the world. Through the power of storytelling, I know Alan will continue to gather people together to explore shared human concerns and to create experiences that inspire, engage and empower our communities. I am hugely excited to be working in partnership with him.”

Pitlochry Festival Theatre, especially under the positive and invigorating helm of Newman, has been at the centre of Scottish theatre – even if audiences may not have fully realised this. And with the experience, inspiration, and impact of Cumming, Pitlochry Festival Theatre is set to make its crucial place resoundingly known acorss Scotland, the Uk, and the world.

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.