Elizabeth Newman is the Artistic Director of Pitlochry Festival Theatre, which has just announced more details about its 2023 Summer Season, including two rare Scottish revivals of Gypsy and A Streetcar Named Desire.
Performed by a 20 strong ensemble, the new season will feature an exciting line- up of world premieres, rarely seen rivals, new writing, and a smash- hit musical.
Full season details and ticket information can be found here.
Pitlochry Festival Theatre’s Summer Season is fast approaching, how would you summarise this upcoming season?
It’s going to be a Season of a diverse diet of musicals, plays with music, comedies, big dramas, and powerful new plays performed inside and outside in our three performance spaces . We also have a fantastic series of musical theatre concerts, performed by some incredible West End talent, for audiences to enjoy throughout the season.
How did you go about piecing the season together, and is there anything in there that you weren’t expecting when you started the process?
I started piecing this season together in autumn 2021. You’re always thinking and mulling, and then you set wheels in motion as soon as possible. I’m always imagining what audiences might want to see, as well as what artists, especially actors, might want to be in and make.
And then of course we are always thinking about writers and new plays. And then comes time to secure the rights to different existing works, decide the commissions and then very importantly find partners to make the productions with too.
Like all theatre’s, Pitlochry Festival Theatre has suffered the impact of the last few years, how do you think this season will bolster support for the theatre?
I think there’s something for everyone in this year’s season. And I hope this’ll bolster support! You know with lots of these titles you’re going to have a fantastic afternoon or evening out!
Is there a production you’re particularly looking forward to?
Ee! I don’t think I can choose. It feels like choosing between your children!
And are there any that you think will prove to be a particular challenge?
I think the biggest challenge will be knowing what to recommend to people. I keep getting messages saying: what shall I book for? And like earlier I can’t decide between them. I just know if you fancy a laugh there’s lots to see and if you fancy a cry there’s also lots to see and if you just fancy sitting outside to enjoy some theatre, then we have two fab productions in our beautiful amphitheatre for you to enjoy.
What would you say to audiences thinking of visiting Pitlochry Festival Theatre this summer season?
Hold onto your hats, the shows are beautiful, rich, opulent and the Ensemble are truly brilliant. They are going to knock your socks off!
