Alan Cumming is the theatre’s current artistic director, and under his leadership, next January, he will be proudly presenting the debut of OUT IN THE HILLS. a three-day celebration of LGBTQ+ theatre, music, and dance.  He will be host to an arrayofLGBTQ+ talent, including British cultural icon, the multi-award-winning Ian McKellen, who will lead a rehearsed reading of Equinox, a brand new one-man play by Laurie Slade, and directed by Sean Matthias. Scottish artist Juano Diaz will read from his memoir Slum Boy, and renowned composer Evelyn Glennie will blend spoken word and improvised, immersive sounds for a unique performance. Plus Cumming, will debut a brand new theatrical production of Me and the Girls, Neil Bartlett’s stage adaptation of the Noel Coward short story.

Over the weekend, there will also be a series of “in conversation” events which will give audiences a chance to hear from well-loved figures, including literary icons Armisted Maupin and Jackie Kay, MP-turned stand-up comedian Mhairi Black will talk to broadcaster and author Gemma Cairney, and Irish author and broadcaster five-time BAFTA winner Graham Norton will be in conversation with Cumming..  Norton said recently it was a kind of homecoming for him “When I left drama school almost forty years ago, the very first job that I didn’t get was at Pitlochry Festival Theatre. I went on to not get jobs at many other theatres, but Pitlochry holds a special place in my heart. I am delighted to finally be making my debut and in such stellar company.”