To celebrate its 75th birthday year Pitlochry Festival Theatre is holding a series of events as part of a fundraising appeal.
And ready to begin the season with a Boom Bang-a-Bang is everyone’s favourite Scottish singer, Lulu who will talk with the theatre’s Artistic Director, Alan Cumming, about her career in the last 60 years. Lulu has just published a new autobiography If Only You Knew, and there will be a book signing after the show.
On 1 March veteran presenter and journalist, Kirsty Wark, will be In Conversation with Justine Picardie, and her new book Fashioning the Crown. This is a result of original research in the Royal Archives and Justine’s own interactions with HRH Queen Elizabeth II. It will reveal how from the outbreak of WWI to 1960, the soft power of clothing played a crucial role in helping the Royal Family negotiate change and challenges – at the same time as the nation was also adapting.
Pitlochry Festival Theatre’s Artistic Director Alan Cumming said: “What an eclectic weekend this will be. I can’t wait to talk to Lulu, a woman I’ve admired literally all my life and whose new book is so frank and revealing. And then another Scottish legend Kirsty Wark will bring her passion for fashion as she talks to the great Justine Picardie. I’m looking forward to more one-off fundraisers like these throughout the year. Stay tuned!”
Justine Picardie said: “I’m really excited to be visiting Pitlochry Festival Theatre next month, where I’ll be talking with the wonderful Kirsty Wark about my new book, “Fashioning the Crown,” as part of the theatre’s exciting 75th anniversary celebrations taking place throughout the year.”
Kirsty Wark said: “I am so delighted to be playing a small part in Pitlochry Festival Theatre’s 75th anniversary celebrations. What a great creative engine it is in the heart of Scotland. What a treat for me to sit down with the great chronicler for fashion and style Justine Picardie and hear wonderful stories – from her brand-new book Fashioning the Crown.”
Exhibition
As well as these two evenings of chat, there will be a free exhibition of costumes used in the theatre over the last quarter of a century. The display will show clothing, shoes, hats and accessories, with background material including sketches and fabric samples. Each costume tells a story of the skill, imagination and collaboration employed in Pitlochry.
As the Theatre celebrates its 75th anniversary, it’s looking ahead. As a charity, this year’s fundraising appeal has three key goals. Firstly, to support and create outstanding live theatre for the next 75 magnificent years; secondly to enable bold new writing, fresh voices, and exceptional creative talent and finally to share the magic of theatre with schools, young people, and communities through our engagement programmes.
Alan Cumming said: “Not only will 2026 be my inaugural programmed season as Artistic Director, but it will also be the year that we will be celebrating an extraordinary milestone: our 75th anniversary. 75 years of storytelling, risk-taking and changing lives forever. And we’re only just getting started.
“To mark this landmark year, we’re launching a special fundraising appeal to help realise my goals for Pitlochry Festival Theatre: to nurture new writing, to champion the very best of Scottish talent and to invite the finest artists from around the world to come to the heart of the Highlands and focus on making great theatre.
“This appeal is about investing boldly in the future of Pitlochry Festival Theatre, ensuring it remains daring, inclusive, and vibrant, relevant and alive for generations to come. We have big ambitions, big ideas, and a deep desire to continue making magical memories for audiences for many years ahead.”
As well as general tickets for both fundraising events, VIP Meet and Greet packages will also be available, allowing audience members the opportunity to meet Lulu, Kirsty, Justine and Alan.
For more information on Pitlochry Festival Theatre’s Fundraising appeal visit pitlochryfestivaltheatre.com/support-us/
- Events details
- Fundraiser: Lulu in conversation with Alan Cumming
- Venue: Auditorium
- Date: Saturday 28 February
- Timings: 7pm (meet and greet starts from 6.15pm)
- Ticket prices: £25 (standard ticket) / £75 (VIP meet and greet- includes Q&A entry, a pre-signed book, meet and greet with Lulu and Alan Cumming with all proceeds in support of the Theatre’s 75th Anniversary Year’. (Limited availability).
- Fundraiser: Kirsty Wark in conversation with Justine Picardie – Fashioning the Crown
- Venue: Auditorium
- Date: Sunday 1 March
- Timings: 7pm (meet and greet starts from 6.00pm)
- Ticket prices: £25 (standard ticket) / £50 (VIP meet and greet- includes Q&A entry and meet and greet with Kirsty Wark and Justine Picardie with all proceeds in support of the Theatre’s 75th Anniversary Year. (Limited availability)
- Booking details
- On sale dates for both events
- 13 Jan, 10am – Priority booking to Festival Circle and Patrons opens (Festival Gallery, Festival Cast and John Stewart Society)
- 16 Jan, 10am – Priority booking opens to Festival Friends
- 19 Jan, 10am – General On-sale
- Box Office and group bookings: 01796 484626
- email [email protected]
- Website: pitlochryfestivaltheatre.com
