Pitlochry Festival Theatre’s 75th Anniversary
PRESS RELEASE
Lulu, Kirsty Wark, Justine Picardie, Alan Cumming and exciting new exhibition to launch fundraising year in Pitlochry Festival Theatre’s 75th Anniversary
Pitlochry Festival Theatre has today announced its first exciting events for its fundraising appeal in its 75th Anniversary year.
Starting off the Fundraising year on Saturday 28 February will be the Grammy-nominated singer, pop sensation, gifted stage and film actress, Lulu who will be talking with Pitlochry Festival Theatre’s Artistic Director Alan Cumming about her illustrious career over the last 60 years. The event will be followed by a post-show book signing of Lulu’s new autobiography If Only You Knew.
The following day, the Theatre will welcome novelist and fashion writer Justine Picardie who will be in conversation with Broadcaster Kirsty Wark about her new book Fashioning the Crown which tells the story of a tumultuous half-century of British history through the lens of royal fashion and image-making. Informed by Picardie's entirely original research in the Royal Archives, as well her own interactions with Elizabeth II and her family, it will reveal how, from the outbreak of the First World War to 1960, the soft power of clothing played a crucial role in helping the Royal Family, and the nation, to navigate seismic changes and challenges.
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”
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!”
As well as two not to be missed evenings, the Theatre will also be staging a landmark exhibition of the past 25 years of costumes on display to celebrate 75 years of Pitlochry Festival Theatre’s legendary in-house wardrobe craft. Featuring clothing, shoes, hats, and accessories alongside never-before-seen sketches, fabric samples, and production images from the shows in which the costumes were worn, it reveals the journey from concept to stage. From meticulously crafted period garments to bold contemporary pieces, each costume tells a story of skill, imagination, and collaboration, offering a rare glimpse into the artistry that has shaped Pitlochry’s stage for three-quarters of a century. This exhibition is FREE and will be showcased throughout the public spaces of the Theatre.
Pitlochry Festival Theatre is a theatre like no other, in a place like no other. For 75 years, it has brought extraordinary stories to life and continues to shape the future of our nation’s performing arts.
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. The Theatre’s 75th Anniversary Appeal target is £500,000 to be achieved by the end of 2026. They also aim to double its Patrons and Members in this period too.