Pitlochry Festival Theatre's new artistic director Alan Cumming is making waves in Scotland with his ambitious plan to revive the performing arts scene in the Scottish Highlands.
The Hollywood star, known for his versatility as an actor and presenter, has taken on the role of artistic director at Pitlochry Festival Theatre, which is the only major rural theatre in Scotland. With a keen eye for innovation and creativity, Cumming aims to put the theatre back on the map with a diverse range of productions that showcase local talent alongside big-name stars.
Cumming's season features four musicals, including the Scottish premiere of Once, starring the original Broadway creative team, as well as world premieres by acclaimed playwright Martin Sherman and award-winning Scottish actor Sally Reid. The programme also includes a bold reinterpretation of Shakespeare's King Lear starring Maureen Beattie, and a celebration of LGBTQ+ culture with a weekend festival featuring Armistead Maupin, Graham Norton, and Evelyn Glennie.
But what sets Cumming apart is his commitment to nurturing local talent and bringing people together through the arts. "There's got to be a reason why I'm doing this," he says with a mischievous grin. "I'm not just putting on nice plays." Cumming's passion for theatre and its ability to bring people together is palpable, and his enthusiasm is infectious.
The new artistic director has also been working hard to engage the local community in the theatre's activities, including running workshops, hosting events, and even DJ-ing at a recent party. "I want it to become known as this international theatre destination for audiences and for artists, and the community's got to come along with that because they're part of it," he explains.
Cumming's approach is not without its challenges, however. As an artistic director with a plethora of strings to his bow, he must navigate the complexities of running a charity while maintaining his creative vision. "It's been challenging," he admits. "I've worked mostly remotely this year." But despite the demands of his role, Cumming remains committed to making Pitlochry Festival Theatre a hub for creativity and community engagement.
As the seasons change in Highland Perthshire, Cumming is confident that his artistic vision will have a lasting impact on the region's cultural landscape. With his unique blend of artistic flair and community spirit, he is set to revolutionize Scotland's rural theatre scene and bring new audiences to Pitlochry Festival Theatre.
The Hollywood star, known for his versatility as an actor and presenter, has taken on the role of artistic director at Pitlochry Festival Theatre, which is the only major rural theatre in Scotland. With a keen eye for innovation and creativity, Cumming aims to put the theatre back on the map with a diverse range of productions that showcase local talent alongside big-name stars.
Cumming's season features four musicals, including the Scottish premiere of Once, starring the original Broadway creative team, as well as world premieres by acclaimed playwright Martin Sherman and award-winning Scottish actor Sally Reid. The programme also includes a bold reinterpretation of Shakespeare's King Lear starring Maureen Beattie, and a celebration of LGBTQ+ culture with a weekend festival featuring Armistead Maupin, Graham Norton, and Evelyn Glennie.
But what sets Cumming apart is his commitment to nurturing local talent and bringing people together through the arts. "There's got to be a reason why I'm doing this," he says with a mischievous grin. "I'm not just putting on nice plays." Cumming's passion for theatre and its ability to bring people together is palpable, and his enthusiasm is infectious.
The new artistic director has also been working hard to engage the local community in the theatre's activities, including running workshops, hosting events, and even DJ-ing at a recent party. "I want it to become known as this international theatre destination for audiences and for artists, and the community's got to come along with that because they're part of it," he explains.
Cumming's approach is not without its challenges, however. As an artistic director with a plethora of strings to his bow, he must navigate the complexities of running a charity while maintaining his creative vision. "It's been challenging," he admits. "I've worked mostly remotely this year." But despite the demands of his role, Cumming remains committed to making Pitlochry Festival Theatre a hub for creativity and community engagement.
As the seasons change in Highland Perthshire, Cumming is confident that his artistic vision will have a lasting impact on the region's cultural landscape. With his unique blend of artistic flair and community spirit, he is set to revolutionize Scotland's rural theatre scene and bring new audiences to Pitlochry Festival Theatre.
he's not just an actor or a presenter, he's a true artist 
and i love how he's all about reviving the performing arts scene in scotland 
especially with his plans to showcase local talent and bring people together through theatre 
it's like, he's not just putting on shows for the sake of it, he actually cares about making a difference 
and i think that's what makes him so passionate about this role 
plus, who wouldn't want to see a weekend festival featuring armistead maupin, graham norton, and evelyn glennie? 
! The idea of a whole festival celebrating LGBTQ+ culture sounds like an amazing way to promote inclusivity and acceptance... I mean, who doesn't love a good party 
. It's all about community engagement and collaboration, you know? Not just putting on a show for the sake of it. And I gotta say, his enthusiasm is pretty infectious 
. Maybe this new artistic direction will really put Pitlochry Festival Theatre on the map... fingers crossed!
. I mean, who wouldn't want to check out a Scottish premiere of Once or a weekend festival celebrating LGBTQ+ culture? 
. As someone who's passionate about mindfulness, I think theatre can be such a powerful tool for self-discovery and connection... and Cumming is totally killing it in this area 
. He sounds like a big shot trying to make a name for himself by revitalizing the arts scene in the Highlands, but what's really driving him? Is it just about putting on good shows or is there something more sinister at play? 
I mean, who comes from Hollywood and suddenly decides to run a theatre in the middle of nowhere? It just seems like a publicity stunt to me. And have you seen his DJ skills? 
He sounds like so much fun! I'm not really sure what Pitlochry Festival Theatre is or where it's from but if they're doing all that cool stuff with musicals and Shakespeare and LGBTQ+ culture, then I'm all for it! 
. It's not just about putting on great shows, it's about building a community around art that brings people together 
. The fact that Cumming is committed to nurturing local talent and engaging the community in the process is really inspiring 
. And I think that's what makes his approach so refreshing – it's not just about artistic vision, but about creating a sense of belonging and community 
. Can't wait to see how this all unfolds! 
Fingers crossed it'll be a wild ride for Pitlochry Festival Theatre and the whole Highland community. 
I'm so down for this and I hope he's able to make his vision a reality without losing himself in the process 
. The fact that he's engaging with the local community is also super important, because at the end of the day it's not just about the theatre, it's about people coming together