Pitlochry Festival Theatre has announced the full cast for the world première of Martin Sherman’s new play I’ll Be Seeing You, which will run from 22 September to 11 October as part of Alan Cumming’s inaugural season as Artistic Director.
Written by the acclaimed playwright and screenwriter behind Bent, Rose and Mrs Henderson Presents, I’ll Be Seeing You explores the life of flamboyant entertainer Liberace through the eyes of a young writer attempting to create a play about him.
Directed by Alan Cumming and Pitlochry Festival Theatre Associate Director Ben Occhipinti, the production will star Tony, BAFTA and Olivier Award winner Simon Russell Beale as Liberace, alongside Fra Fee as the young writer. Sherman will also make his professional stage acting debut in the production.
Described as a bold and imaginative fantasia, the new play follows a struggling writer whose assumptions about Liberace are challenged when the legendary performer seemingly comes to life. Blending music, memory and fantasy, the play examines identity, truth and perception through one of entertainment’s most iconic figures.
The cast also includes Adam Kashmiry, Anne Lacey, Ali Watt and Greg Powrie.
Simon Russell Beale said: “I am hugely excited at the prospect of working on Martin Sherman’s brilliant new play, with a wonderful team – Alan Cumming, Fra Fee, and Tim Hatley. It should be a great adventure.”
The creative team includes designer Tim Hatley, lighting designer Grant Anderson, choreographer Chris Stuart Wilson and historical content consultant Jonathan Warren.
Speaking about the production, playwright Martin Sherman said: “It’s impossible to describe a playwright’s joy having Simon Russell Beale and Fra Fee starring as what had been your imagined characters and Alan Cumming directing what once was your imagined fantasy and having all of that insanity and joy and mischievous chaos unleashed during Alan Cumming’s initial, ground-breaking season at Pitlochry Festival Theatre.
“I’ll Be Seeing You has been described as a play about Liberace, but what it is really is a play not about Liberace, which I suppose is the point, or perhaps it isn’t. What is not in question is my pure delight at having my play premiere in this gorgeous circumstance and having Alan, Simon, and Fra madly tinkling the keys of a wayward sequined piano floating somewhere through the bemused skies of the Scottish Highlands.”
Alan Cumming added: “The world premiere of a Martin Sherman play is a huge event, and for that play to be about Liberace and the truth of writing is such an incredible mash up of concepts and ideas. This is a confection like no other seen on the PFT stage, a mirage of rhinestone and glitz, about a man who played with and for us in equal measure.
“We have been so lucky to have the cooperation of the Liberace foundation in bringing this play to the Pitlochry stage, and to have been given access to his collection in Las Vegas for research purposes. We are also so honoured to have the great Simon Russell Beale playing Liberace, and Fra Fee as a writer forced to create a play about him, and Martin Sherman himself will be taking the stage too!
“This will be an evening unlike anything seen in our theatre in the hills! Gird your loins!”
The production forms part of Pitlochry Festival Theatre’s 75th anniversary celebrations and Cumming’s first season leading the venue.
Listings and ticket information can be found here.
