Alan Cumming, celebrated for his roles in shows like The Traitors US, The Good Wife, and Schmigadoon, is embarking on a new adventure far removed from the bright lights of Broadway and Hollywood.
The Scottish actor has taken the helm of Pitlochry Festival Theatre, a decision inspired by a serendipitous visit during the filming of All Aboard Scotland’s Poshest Trains.
“I visited the theatre and spoke with Elizabeth Newman about their work. She asked if I’d ever thought about running a theatre, and it planted a seed,” Cumming recalls.
Cumming, who grew up in nearby Aberfeldy, has spent much of his career in New York, balancing projects in theatre, film, and television.
However, his increasing commitments in Scotland, including hosting The Traitors and performing with the National Theatre of Scotland, have drawn him back to his roots.
“I’ve been living partly here for years, and in recent years I’ve tried to split my time more evenly between Scotland and New York,” he explains.
When Newman stepped down in July 2024, Cumming quietly applied for the role, seeing an opportunity to “share Pitlochry with the world and the world with Pitlochry.”
Cumming’s appointment has already raised the theatre’s profile.
Wrapped in his signature tartan, he drew global attention to Pitlochry during the Emmy Awards, where The Traitors team won Outstanding Reality Competition Programme.
“I know I have experience, I’m quite talented, and I know a lot of people. Being well-known helps raise the profile, and it’ll help with fundraising,” he says.
He envisions Pitlochry Festival Theatre as a hub for community engagement and a platform for global recognition.
Inspired by the Tron Theatre in Glasgow, where he performed as a drama student, he hopes to foster a sense of community and create shows that can transition to international stages.
“Wouldn’t it be amazing if people thought, ‘We saw that show at Pitlochry, and now it’s on Broadway’? And why not?”
Cumming officially began his role in January 2025 and is already diving into programming and community consultations.
The upcoming Winter Words Festival in February 2026 offers a glimpse of his vision, featuring names like Liz Lochhead, Douglas Stuart, and Andrew O’Hagan alongside emerging voices.
“It’s got some big bold names and newer, more diverse, slightly outside-the-box things going on. Theatre should entertain but also challenge and provoke,” he explains.
Cumming plans to direct and perform in productions, ensuring his ethos of blending the familiar with the innovative shines through.
“I’m like the Pied Piper of Pitlochry,” he jokes.
For Cumming, Pitlochry’s allure lies as much in its breathtaking location as in its artistic potential.
Sitting in the theatre café with views of Ben-y-Vrackie, he describes the theatre as a “magical bubble” he’s eager to share with the world.
“People are so excited about coming here,” he says.
“I want to make this a place where the community gathers, where creativity thrives, and where Pitlochry becomes a beacon for theatre worldwide.”
As he embarks on this new chapter, Cumming is determined to leave a legacy of innovation, inclusivity, and global recognition for the theatre nestled in Highland Perthshire.
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