As a seasoned gamer with a penchant for theatre, I can’t help but feel a surge of excitement at the news of Alan Cumming taking over as Artistic Director at Pitlochry Festival Theatre. Having grown up watching his captivating performances on stage and screen, it feels like a dream come true to see him returning home to Scotland and embracing his roots.
Following his recent Emmy win as host of Peacock’s “The Traitors”, the versatile actor, Alan Cumming, has secured another role.
The renowned performer with diverse talents, a seasoned and Tony Award-winning stage star, has been appointed as the new artistic director at Pitlochry Festival Theatre, often referred to as “Scotland’s hillside theater.” Cumming takes over from Elizabeth Newman who will be leaving in November, having served at Pitlochry since September 2018. Her final production, “The Sound of Music,” is running from Nov 15 to Dec 22. It was revealed back in July that Newman would be stepping down as artistic director to take on a different leadership role, which initiated a three-month recruitment and selection process.
Starting from January 2025, Cumming will take on the role of artistic director and is already planning for the 2026 season. Kicking off the lineup, Pitlochry will present previously announced shows such as “The Great Gatsby”, “Grease”, and “The 39 Steps”, along with four brand-new plays in their studio space.
As a born Scotsman, every path I tread seems to end at the theater, and that path also leads me back to my beloved Scotland. I’m an unapologetic ‘theater animal,’ and like the great Robert Burns, my spirit resides in the Highlands. Taking on the role of Artistic Director at Pitlochry Festival Theatre feels like a heartfelt homecoming, one that I welcome with all the knowledge, zeal, and affection I possess. This theater is more than just a venue; it’s a hidden gem, boasting incredible facilities and endless opportunities.
According to Cumming’s plans, we are planning to invite renowned artists from around the globe to our humble town. My vision is for Pitlochry Festival Theatre to be a welcoming haven for all, deeply rooted in our community. To quote Burns once more, ‘I will dare to be honest and fear no labor.’ Most importantly, I am eager to introduce Pitlochry to the world, and let the world discover Pitlochry as well.
The Pitlochry team also chimed in to praise their new colleague.
Kris Bryce, our executive director, expressed, “Ever since I first encountered him, I’ve been captivated by Alan’s ardor – for theatre and Scotland – his dynamism and imagination, and his unwavering eagerness to collaborate with us in preserving this unique location. With him at the artistic helm, I am optimistic that we will persist in expanding our influence as the country’s most influential theater producer, creating daring, groundbreaking work that resonates not only locally but globally. Through the art of storytelling, I believe Alan will continue to unite individuals to delve into universal human issues and create encounters that spark, engage, and embolden our communities.
Newman stated that quite frankly, she couldn’t imagine anyone more suitable to collaborate with Bryce on the next installment of Pitlochry’s tale. “Alan is an outstanding artist and a motivational figure who will undoubtedly propel the theater into fresh and captivating conversations with artists and spectators both locally and globally.
The self-described “theatre animal,” who attended the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama (now called the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland) from 1982-85. He made his stage debut playing Malcolm in Shakespeare’s Macbeth and Macbeth Possessed by Stuart Delves at the Tron Theatre in Glasgow. He went on to earn a long list of stage credits, earning raves for Hamlet and Cabaret, and Macbeth once again. His other shows include Great Expectations, Romeo and Juliet, Design for Living, Elle, Bent, The Bacchae, The Seagull, Lazarus, Daddy, Endgame and Burn.
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2024-09-13 18:24