Film, TV and theatre star Alan Cumming given top Pitlochry Theatre role

The 59-year-old, who was born in Aberfeldy, has been named as the theatre's new artistic director.

Film, TV and theatre star Alan Cumming has been named as the new artistic director at Pitlochry Festival Theatre.

The 59-year-old, who was born in Aberfeldy and has had a stellar career including appearances in the likes of James Bond film Golden Eye and X-Men 2, will take up the role in January.

The BAFTA, Emmy, Tony and Olivier Award-winner – who made his professional stage debut 30 years ago at the Tron Theatre in Glasgow – described the opportunity as a “homecoming” with “boundless possibilities”.

Alan, who is also a patron of the Birks Cinema in Aberfeldy, explained: “For me, all roads lead to the theatre and all roads lead to Scotland.

“I am a theatre animal at heart and, like Robert Burns, my heart is in the Highlands.

“To become Pitlochry Festival Theatre’s artistic director is a homecoming I embrace with all my experience, all my passion and, yes, all my heart.

“This theatre is a hidden gem with the most amazing facilities and boundless possibilities, and I will invite the world’s best theatre artists here and showcase the best of Scotland’s thrilling theatrical legacy.

“I want Pitlochry Festival Theatre to be a home for everyone and to remain at the heart of the community.

“And, to quote Burns again, ‘I will dare to be honest and fear no labour’.

“Above all, I cannot wait to share Pitlochry with the world, and the world with Pitlochry.”

After joining in January, Alan’s first programmed season will begin in 2026.

Next year’s season includes productions of ‘The Great Gatsby’, ‘Grease’, ‘The 39 Steps’ and four new plays staged in the theatre’s studio.

PFT executive director Kris Bryce commented: “At Pitlochry Festival Theatre, we believe in the transformative power of our work.

“Since the moment we met, I have been completely won over by Alan’s passion – for theatre and for Scotland – by his energy and vision, and by his whole-hearted desire to join us as a steward of this very special place.

“Under his artistic leadership, I am confident we will continue to grow in our role as the nation’s most impactful producing theatre, delivering bold, innovative work that resonates with audiences here and right across the world.

“Through the power of storytelling, I know Alan will continue to gather people together to explore shared human concerns and to create experiences that inspire, engage and empower our communities. I am hugely excited to be working in partnership with him.”

Crawford Gillies, chair of the arts hub affectionately know as the Theatre in the Hills, added: “I am delighted to welcome Alan as Pitlochry Festival Theatre’s new artistic director. Throughout the selection process, I was deeply impressed by his passion, vision and commitment to theatre and to the people of Scotland.

“His vast experience and strong leadership skills give me great confidence that, alongside Kris Bryce, he will take the theatre to new heights, building on our legacy and continuing to grow our reputation locally and internationally.

“I would also like to extend my heartfelt thanks to Elizabeth Newman, whose six-year tenure as artistic director has been instrumental in positioning the theatre where it is today.

“With Alan’s appointment, we continue to look forward to the brightest of futures.”

Outgoing artistic director Elizabeth’s last production at Pitlochry will be ‘The Sound of Music’, which runs from November 15 until December 22.

She said: “Alan is an exceptional artist and an inspiring leader who will catapult the theatre into new and exciting dialogues with artists and audiences here and around the world.

“I can’t wait to return to the theatre in the future, as a member of the audience this time, to experience the impact of Alan’s artistic direction and the work of the world-class artists he will bring to Pitlochry.”

Alan collected trophy for Outstanding Reality Competition Program for The Traitors, at the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards held at Peacock Theatre, LA on Sunday (September 15).

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