Pitlochry Festival Theatre’s Artistic Director Alan Cumming has announced his highly anticipated inaugural season of exciting programming for 2026, which will coincide with the 75th anniversary of the celebrated Scottish Highland Theatre. Season 2026 will feature a programme of creatively bold and inventive productions, featuring world premières, Scottish and UK premières, revivals of musicals and plays, a visiting production.
The High Life legend, star of The Good Wife and the host of the American production of The Traitors, Cumming says, “My first season of programmed work as Artistic Director in 2026 also happens to be the 75th Anniversary of Pitlochry Festival Theatre’s founding by a man named John Stewart, who came here during the Second World War and made a promise to himself that he would return and build a theatre. I have found I have a great affinity with John: we both came to Pitlochry and were mesmerised, we both share a belief in dreaming big and the power of positivity and manifestation.”
He continues, “And for my first season, just as he did in 1951, I have invited people here who I admire and love, and who have been part of the theatrical journey that led me to becoming this theatre’s Artistic Director. The potential of Pitlochry Festival Theatre is boundless and we have a passionate and proud staff who are ready to share the adventure ahead with me. And so, in 2026 I hope you’ll join us all for a season of work that is a homage to John Stewart’s legacy and spirit: one of boldness, of daring, and of manifesting a dream.”
Here’s everything you need to know about Alan Cumming’s Season 2026…
ONCE | Scottish Premiere, Auditorium, 23 May-27 June
Season 2026 will open with the Scottish première of the Tony and Olivier award-winning musical Once, featuring the original Broadway creative team of director John Tiffany, choreographer Steven Hoggett, designer Bob Crowley and musical director Martin Lowe.
INEXPERIENCE | World Premiere, Studio, 13 June-4 July
Award-winning actor Sally Reid will direct Adura Onashile and Sandy Grierson in the world première of Inexperience, Scottish playwright Douglas Maxwell’s witty and heartfelt romantic new comedy about touch, memory, and the choices that shape a life.
LEAR | Auditorium, 4 July-1 August
Maureen Beattie will lead the company in Lear, director Finn den Hertog’s bold new adaptation of William Shakespeare’s King Lear, which will also feature Forbes Masson.
I CAN DIE TOO | World Premiere, Studio, 11 July-2 August
Bill Buckhurst will direct the world première of Tony Winner Frances Ruffelle, best known for playing Eponine in the original London and Broadway productions of Les Misérables, Sally George and Alan Cumming’s I Can Die Too, a concert-style play with music inspired by Cocteau’s La Voix Humaine. Co-produced with Lovechild Productions, Ruffelle will feature in the production.
A HISTORY OF PAPER | Auditorium 8 August-12 September
Alan Cumming and Shirley Henderson will reunite for a new production of A History of Paper. Written by Oliver Emanuel with music by Gareth Williams, the production will be directed by Andrew Panton. The production will be presented as a co-production with Dundee Rep Theatre.
WIPING MY MOTHER’S ARSE | Studio, 15 August-6 September
Iain Heggie’s fearless and provocative play about parental care, Wiping My Mother’s Arse will be revived for the first time since its original run at the Traverse Theatre in 2001. Directed by Sam Hardie it will feature Scottish writer, director, and actor Johnny McKnight in its cast.
I’LL BE SEEING YOU | Studio, 12 September-11 October
Alan Cumming will direct Simon Russell Beale and Fra Fee in the world première of Martin Sherman’s new play I’ll Be Seeing You, which tells the story of a young gay playwright writing a new play about the legendary pianist and singer Liberace
CEILIDH | Scottish Premiere, Auditorium, 24 September-17 October
Tony award winner Sam Pinkleton will direct the UK première of the new immersive musical Ceilidh. Written by the Scottish writing duo Scott Gilmour and Claire McKenzie. The new musical will open the doors to one of the nation’s oldest and most loved traditions.
THE PRIME OF MISS JEAN BRODIE | Auditorium, 4-7 November
David Harrower’s adaptation of Muriel Spark’s The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie, featuring Gayle Rankin and directed by Vicky Featherstone, is set to visit the Pitlochry in early November. The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie, a National Theatre of Scotland Production, is presented in partnership with The Royal Lyceum Theatre, Edinburgh and in association with Pitlochry Festival Theatre.
MY FAIR LADY | Auditorium, 21 November-31 December
Finally Season 2026 comes to end with Olivier award-winning actor and director Maria Friedman directing Alan Cumming as Henry Higgins in a new revival of Lerner and Loewe’s iconic musical My Fair Lady.
Exciting times.
Tickets and on sale details here.
