When Hollywood star Alan Cumming was announced as the new artistic director of Pitlochry Festival Theatre last September, the theatrical world gasped in surprise. Now, the effervescent actor has revealed his inaugural season programme - and it's generating even more excitement than anticipated.
A Season of Personal Connections and Big Names
The programme showcases Cumming's unique vision for Scotland's only major rural theatre, blending international star power with homegrown Scottish talent. The 60-year-old actor will write, direct or perform in four productions himself, closing the season as Henry Higgins in a revival of My Fair Lady.
The season opens with the Scottish premiere of Once, featuring the original Broadway creative team led by director John Tiffany. Another highlight includes the world premiere of a new work by celebrated dramatist Martin Sherman, starring Simon Russell Beale and directed by Cumming himself.
Every single one of these shows has a personal connection to me, Cumming explained during an interview in the theatre's cavernous workshop. The dapper star, dressed in a grey plaid suit, emphasised that he's not just putting on nice plays but creating meaningful work with creative rigour.
Bold Reinterpretations and Queer Celebration
Perhaps the most daring production sees actor Maureen Beattie taking on the title role in Shakespeare's King Lear, directed by Finn den Hertog. Beattie visited Cumming's Angus primary school when he was eight years old and changed my life, he revealed, explaining the personal significance.
We've seen Lear so often with boring old men, Cumming noted. When I spoke to Maureen, I realised how fascinating and how different it would be as a story about a woman and her daughters.
The season also features star-studded weekend festivals, including Winter Words and Out in the Hills - a celebration of all things LGBT+ bringing together Armistead Maupin, Graham Norton and Evelyn Glennie in January.
As a committed advocate for LGBT+ rights who has followed the huge backlash against transgender people, Cumming stated: I felt like it would be really good for trans and queer people to be mentioned in our news without a negative connotation.
Community Focus and Practical Changes
Located in breathtaking Highland Perthshire, with gardens set back from the banks of the River Tummel and mist rolling down from Ben Vrackie, Pitlochry represents both an opportunity and a challenge. Big time! It's a commitment, Cumming acknowledged of the venue's location off the beaten theatrical track.
Since his appointment, Cumming has repeatedly spoken about wanting the theatre building to be a venue for the local community as well as paying audiences. He regularly drops in on activities like the weekly sketching club that congregates in the theatre's open-plan cafe area.
Earlier this year, at the close of the Winter Words festival, he DJ-ed at a huge party, inviting the whole town to attend. And they came! he says delightedly. It was a magical night.
Practical changes include abandoning the famous repertory system - the only one left in Scotland - because it wasn't financially viable. A prerequisite of me taking this job was that we had to be able to ask people to come for a shorter time, Cumming explained.
The actor has even chosen to forgo his own salary, hoping the cash saved can go towards fixing the amphitheatre's stage. He's also established partnerships with nearby hotels to support the theatre's fiscal health.
Despite dividing his time between New York and another base near Inverness, Cumming brings clear-eyed determination to his new role. I want it to become known as this international theatre destination for audiences and for artists, and the community's got to come along with that because they're part of it.
With his inaugural season generating excitement from critics and audiences alike, Alan Cumming's Highland theatre adventure appears poised to deliver on its ambitious promise.
