Pitlochry Festival Theatre has announced two major leadership appointments as it celebrates its 75th anniversary and prepares to launch its 2026 season.
Henry Filloux-Bennett joins as Chief Executive, while Sam Hardie takes up the role of Deputy Artistic Director, both working alongside Artistic Director Alan Cumming.
Filloux-Bennett brings extensive experience from roles at Opera North, HOME in Manchester and the Lawrence Batley Theatre, alongside producing and senior marketing positions with organisations including the Royal Shakespeare Company.
He is also an accomplished writer, best known for the award-winning Nigel Slater’s Toast, which has toured the UK and played in the West End.
Hardie, currently Associate Director at Pitlochry Festival Theatre, steps into her new role following a career focused on new work and storytelling with live music and large ensembles.
Her previous work includes co-running The PappyShow and directing productions such as The Sound of Music, Grease and Beautiful: The Carole King Musical at the venue.
Lorna Jack, Chair of Pitlochry Festival Theatre, said, “The board and I are thrilled to welcome Henry as our new Chief Executive and Sam as Deputy Artistic Director during this milestone 75th anniversary year. Henry joins us with remarkable leadership expertise in arts and theatre – given his experience and enthusiasm, we’re confident he will be an excellent addition to the theatre. Working alongside Alan, the Board and I eagerly anticipate collaborating with Henry and Sam and are incredibly excited for Pitlochry Festival Theatre’s future under the leadership team’s guidance.”
As part of the anniversary celebrations, the theatre will also open its Explorers Garden to the public free of charge throughout the 2026 season.
Developed in partnership with the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, the garden features performance spaces including a Pagoda, Pavilion and Amphitheatre, as well as rare plant species such as the Himalayan blue poppy.
Caroline Bavey, Pitlochry Festival Theatre’s Landscape and Garden Manager, said, “We’re turning 75 today, and we wanted to do something special to say thank you, to everyone who’s visited or supported us over the years. So, for the rest of the 2026 garden season, we’re offering free entry to the Explorers Garden. Whether you’ve been coming for years or you’ve never visited before, come in, have a wander, and celebrate with us.”
The theatre’s 2026 season, Alan Cumming’s first as Artistic Director, opens with the Scottish premiere of Once on 23 May, with a programme of productions running through to the end of the year.
Listings and ticket information can be found here.
