Pitlochry Festival Theatre has revealed a further wave of productions for its 2027 season, marking Alan Cumming’s second year as Artistic Director with a programme that blends classic plays, popular musicals and new Scottish writing.
Produced in association with Sonia Friedman Productions, the newly announced titles include Alan Ayckbourn’s Absent Friends, Dolly Parton’s 9 to 5, Hannah Lavery’s Love Songs for Monsters and Eden McIntyre’s Jack Vettriano Can’t Paint!, alongside the previously announced world première stage adaptation of Supernova starring Alan Cumming and Ewan McGregor.
The Main House season will open with a new production of Ayckbourn’s dark comedy Absent Friends, directed by Owen Horsley. Running from 12 March to 3 April, the play follows a well-meaning gathering organised to support a recently bereaved friend, only for tensions and long-buried frustrations to emerge over the course of a single afternoon.
Musical theatre returns to the Main House from 1 to 29 May with a new production of 9 to 5, directed by Cora Bissett. Based on the landmark 1980 film and featuring Dolly Parton’s Grammy-nominated score, the musical follows three women determined to take on their sexist and overbearing boss.
The season will also feature the highly anticipated world première of Supernova, adapted for the stage by Harry Macqueen from his acclaimed 2020 film. Directed by John Tiffany, the production will reunite Alan Cumming and Ewan McGregor on stage at Pitlochry from 24 July to 21 August.
In the Studio, Pitlochry Festival Theatre will present two world premières beginning with Hannah Lavery’s Love Songs for Monsters from 28 May to 19 June. Directed by Amber Sinclair-Case, the new play reimagines Brecht’s Baal from a fresh perspective and will feature original songs by Lavery and acclaimed Scottish musician Callum Easter.
Later in the summer, Eden McIntyre’s debut professional stage play Jack Vettriano Can’t Paint! will run from 16 July to 7 August. Created with the support of the Jack Vettriano Estate, the production explores the life and legacy of one of Scotland’s most successful and controversial artists.
Announcing the new productions, Alan Cumming said: “I’m so excited that our ‘27 season is both celebrating icons like Dolly Parton and Alan Ayckbourn as well as spotlighting new Scottish writing and indeed launching the career of a new Scottish playwright! These works alongside the previously announced Supernova with myself and Ewan McGregor, make for a season that is both innovative and familiar, international, and home grown and embodying the eclectic personality of the new era of Pitlochry Festival Theatre. And gird your loins – there’s more to come!”
Further productions for the 2027 season are expected to be announced in the coming months. Priority booking for members and patrons opens on 15 October, with public booking opening on 29 October.
Listings and ticket information can be found here.
