Alan Cumming, a name synonymous with a variety of roles from The Good Wife to hosting The Traitors in the U.S., is now embarking on a new chapter in his storied career – running Pitlochry Festival Theatre in his native Scotland. The move has raised eyebrows, but for Cumming, it feels like a return to his roots and an exciting opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the theatre community.
From Broadway to Pitlochry: A New Beginning
In 2024, Cumming found himself back in Scotland more often, thanks to his work on The Traitors and various film projects. His time on the set of All Aboard Scotland’s Poshest Trains was particularly pivotal, as it was during this filming that he first connected with Elizabeth Newman, the outgoing artistic director of Pitlochry Festival Theatre.
“It was such a random thing,” Cumming recalls. “We were filming, and Elizabeth mentioned the idea of running a theatre. After her resignation in July, I applied quietly, never imagining it would turn into something real.”
Although Cumming has spent much of his career in New York, with a thriving career on Broadway and in television, his love for Scotland has never wavered. In recent years, he has split his time between New York and the Scottish Highlands, growing increasingly involved in Scottish theatre projects like Burn, Macbeth, and The Bacchae with the National Theatre of Scotland.
“My roots are here,” Cumming shares. “I’m from Aberfeldy, just a few miles away. The idea of sharing Pitlochry with the world and bringing the world here is something I can truly get behind.”
Raising the Profile of Pitlochry Festival Theatre
Cumming’s appointment comes with the promise of much more than just directing productions. In his role as artistic director, he’s determined to increase the theatre’s visibility on the global stage. He believes that his celebrity status could aid in raising the profile of the theatre, which would, in turn, help with fundraising and garnering support for the arts in the region.
“Being well-known isn’t just for the glitz and glamour,” he says. “It’s also about leveraging that visibility to help raise the theatre’s profile. The arts often need a louder voice, and I want to be part of that.”
Like the appointment of Nicola Benedetti as director of the Edinburgh International Festival, Cumming sees his role as a powerful tool in lobbying for support and recognition for smaller, regional theatre companies. He’s committed to appearing on stage himself, in addition to his duties behind the scenes, and is already laying the groundwork for his first season, which will be announced later this year.
The Winter Words Festival: A Sneak Peek at What’s to Come
Before his full season of programming begins, Cumming has already put his stamp on Pitlochry Festival Theatre with the Winter Words festival, which runs from 21 February. The festival promises a line-up of literary talent, with authors like Liz Lochhead, Douglas Stuart, and Andrew O’Hagan set to take part.
“This is a snapshot of what I want to do moving forward,” Cumming explains. “The festival will feature big names, but I also want to bring in newer voices, diverse perspectives, and challenge the audience. Theatre should entertain, but it should also make people think.”
For Cumming, this balance of entertainment and thought-provoking material is key to the theatre’s future success. His plans include not only traditional plays but also more unconventional offerings like musicals that may not be immediately recognizable to mainstream audiences. It’s all part of his vision to introduce new people to the magic of live theatre.
“I’m a bit like the Pied Piper of Pitlochry,” he says with a grin, “leading the town into a new era.”
A Vision for the Future: Pitlochry as a Community Hub
One of Cumming’s major goals is to integrate the theatre more deeply into the fabric of the local community. “The theatre should be a place for everyone,” he asserts. “Not just for watching plays but for gathering, socializing, and participating in cultural life.”
Cumming draws inspiration from Glasgow’s Tron Theatre, where he and his regular collaborator Forbes Masson performed as drama students. The Tron was not just a venue for performances, but a community hub where people gathered to discuss, debate, and share ideas. Cumming hopes to restore that sense of community to Pitlochry, fostering a space where locals and visitors alike feel welcome and engaged.
The Magic of Pitlochry: A Place for the World to Discover
While Cumming’s ambition for Pitlochry Festival Theatre is vast, he remains deeply grounded in his affection for the town itself. With its picturesque setting and small-town charm, Pitlochry is a place that he believes will captivate visitors from around the globe.
“People are so excited to come here,” Cumming says, looking out at the stunning views of Ben Vrackie from the theatre café. “There’s a magic to this place. It’s a bubble that I want to share with the world.”
Through his work at the theatre, Cumming hopes to not only bring more visitors to Pitlochry but also to celebrate the town’s beauty, culture, and history on the global stage.
What’s Next for Alan Cumming?
With his first official season as artistic director still in the works, the future of Pitlochry Festival Theatre under Cumming’s leadership is an exciting prospect. His commitment to both local community involvement and global visibility ensures that his time at the theatre will be one to watch.
Alan Cumming’s return to his Scottish roots marks the beginning of a thrilling new chapter for both him and the historic theatre. As the Pied Piper of Pitlochry, he’s poised to lead the theatre into a new era, where great art, community, and global recognition converge.
