Pitlochry Festival Theatre has announced that Chief Executive Kris Bryce will leave his role early in 2026 to focus on his consultancy business, Galanthus Group.
The news follows the launch of the Theatre’s 2026 programme, which celebrates its 75th anniversary and marks the first season curated entirely by new Artistic Director, Alan Cumming.
Since joining in 2016, Kris Bryce has overseen a transformative decade for the Theatre. His achievements include securing the £300m Tay City Deal, the only cultural project named by the Scottish Government in the initiative, and raising match funding for a major capital project that reimagines the venue with three performance spaces and enhanced public areas.
Bryce also guided the Theatre through the pandemic and its recovery, introducing innovative online and outdoor engagement. Under his leadership, Pitlochry Festival Theatre became the first UK theatre to commit to net-zero targets ahead of government deadlines, and its 2025/26 season is set to record the highest audience figures and box office income in 74 years.
Kris Bryce said:
*“It has been an extraordinary privilege to serve Pitlochry Festival Theatre for nearly a decade. I’ve been fortunate to work with three brilliant Artistic Directors in that time — John Durnin, Elizabeth Newman and Alan Cumming — each shaping the work on our stages and the stories we tell in important and meaningful ways.
The turbulence of the pandemic was a defining period for all of us, and the support of audiences through that time, and their return and warmth since, has stayed with me. I am hugely grateful to our stakeholders, partners and supporters for the confidence and investment they have shown in the Theatre during my tenure, and to the two Chairs I have worked with, Colin Liddell and Crawford Gillies, whose focus, commitment and leadership alongside dedicated Trustees has meant a great deal.
My lasting memory of Pitlochry Festival Theatre will always be the people. Anything is possible when individuals collaborate enthusiastically and respectfully, and the team at Pitlochry demonstrate that truth daily in what they achieve together. I leave with real warmth and in full confidence that the Theatre’s best years are just beginning.”*
Alan Cumming, Artistic Director, commented:
“Kris Bryce has been a major figure in the history and success of Pitlochry Festival Theatre. I will be eternally grateful to him for bringing me into the fold and showing me the ropes when I took up post. I wish him all the best. Haste ye back, Kris!”
Chair of the Board Crawford Gillies added:
“On behalf of the Board, I thank Kris for all he has done at the Theatre since 2016. A dedicated and loyal leader and ambassador for the Theatre, he has successfully steered us through many challenges. We are in a stronger position now thanks to his hard work, skill and dedication. Pitlochry Festival Theatre simply would not be where we are in today without his leadership. I would like to express enormous gratitude to Kris and wish him every success for the future.”
Kris will remain in post until January 2026, working closely with Alan Cumming and the Board to ensure a smooth transition. The search for his successor is underway, led by executive search consultant Todd Heppenstall. During the interim period, Dougie Cameron, Director of Finance & Operations, will serve as Interim Chief Executive.
More information can be found here.
