Following an intensive three-month recruitment and selection process, Pitlochry Festival Theatre announces the appointment of actor, singer, writer, producer and director Alan Cumming as their new Artistic Director.
Forty years ago, Alan Cumming made his professional theatre debut at the Tron Theatre in Glasgow. Thirty years ago, his Hamlet stormed the West End, and he was hailed as ‘an actor knocking at the door of greatness’. A quarter of a century ago, he was a sensation as Cabaret’s Master of Ceremonies in a production that forever changed the Broadway landscape. A decade ago, his visceral, virtually one-man Macbeth was a stunning, transatlantic coup de theatre. His screen work ranges from art house to blockbuster, cult to mainstream. Find out more at alancumming.com.
Speaking of his appointment, Alan Cumming said: “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.”
Kris Bryce, Executive Director commented: “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.”
Crawford Gillies, Chair of Pitlochry Festival Theatre, added: “I am delighted to welcome Alan as Pitlochry Festival Theatre’s new Artistic Director. Throughout the selection process, I was deeply impressed by his passion, vision and commitment to theatre and to the people of Scotland. His vast experience and strong leadership skills give me great confidence that, alongside Kris Bryce, he will take the Theatre to new heights, building on our legacy and continuing to grow our reputation locally and internationally. I would also like to extend my heartfelt thanks to Elizabeth Newman, whose six-year tenure as Artistic Director has been instrumental in positioning the Theatre where it is today. With Alan’s appointment, we continue to look forward to the brightest of futures.”
Elizabeth Newman, current Artistic Director said: “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.”
Alan Cumming will join Pitlochry Festival Theatre as Artistic Director from January 2025, with his programmed season beginning in 2026. As previously announced the Pitlochry Festival Theatre 2025 season will include productions of The Great Gatsby, Grease, The 39 Steps and four new plays staged in the Theatre’s Studio. Elizabeth Newman’s last production as Artistic Director at Pitlochry Festival Theatre will be The Sound of Music which runs from 15 November – 22 December 2024.
