Pitlochry Festival Theatre: Press Release
Ian McKellen, Graham Norton, Val McDermid, Armistead Maupin, Evelyn Glennie, Jackie Kay and Alan Cumming to appear at Pitlochry Festival Theatre’s inaugural Out in the Hills Festival
Pitlochry Festival Theatre is set to brighten up January with three days of theatre, music, film, dancing and so much more, as they launch Out in the Hills, a brand new festival that celebrates all things LGBTQIA+ and invites everyone to find new ways to look at the world, and each other.
From 16-18 January 2026 this exciting new festival is set to give audiences the opportunity to enjoy everything from the first look at brand new plays featuring theatrical icons, to beautiful exhibitions of photography, as well as events discussing everything from football, to crime writing, to baking.
Performances at the Festival will include legendary screen and stage actor Ian McKellen starring in Equinox, a rehearsed reading of the brand new one man play by Laurie Slade and directed by Sean Mathias; author and acclaimed Scottish artist Juano Diaz will read from his powerful memoir Slum Boy, accompanied by world-renowned solo percussionist and composer Evelyn Glennie for a unique performance that will blend spoken word with improvised immersive sounds and visuals to create a bold, sensory journey unlike any other; and Pitlochry Festival Theatre’s own Artistic Director Alan Cumming is set to lead a cast of six for Me and the Girls, a brand new stage adaptation by Neil Bartlett of Noel Coward’s 1964 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 Armistead Maupin (author of the bestselling chronicles Tales of the City) and Jackie Kay (Red Dust Road), politician turned stand-up comedian Mhairi Black talking to Broadcaster and Author Gemma Cairney, and the nation’s favourite chat show host, Graham Norton, who will be in conversation with Alan Cumming.
And whilst it might be dark outside, the whole building will be full of joy and light on the inside, featuring drop-in workshops for young people across the weekend, stand up, a queer ceilidh on the Friday night, and a DJ set from Junglehussi on Saturday evening.
Out in the Hills is supported by PITLOCHRYhotels.com
Out in the Hills runs at Pitlochry Festival Theatre from 16-18 January 2026. Patrons and Members priority bookings will go on sale on Monday 27 October at 10am and on general sale from Monday 10 November at 10am. For tickets and further information call the Box Office team on 01796 484626 or visit pitlochryfestivaltheatre.com