I Can Die Too
Pitlochry Festival Theatre, 16/07/2026
A Pitlochry Festival Theatre, Lovechild/ Evan Sachs and Les Theatres de la Ville de Luxembourg Production
Written by Frances Ruffelle, Sally George and Alan Cumming
It is not very often Pitlochry has a leading west end lady gracing their studio stage. Directed by Bill Buckhurst, this is a backstage drama into the messy, funny and sometimes tragic life of Lily, an actor preparing a play. Based on the Jean Cocteau one woman play ‘La Voix Humaine’, it is punctured by original songs, and centre stage is the dynamic Frances Ruffelle. The audience loved it. I have never seen the studio so closely packed. The action spins from Lily, found on stage asleep (actors train themselves to sleep anywhere), and jumps from rehearsing the piece, which is in French which she hates, to memories of her personal life. She interacts with the Director, stage manager, make up, costume, and sound, which occasionally drops the wrong cue. The title references Jean Cocteau, who had a heart attack and died when hearing that Edith Piaf had passed away. Lily struggles with French pronunciation. She hates it. Complicated, but apt. Frances Ruffelle is terrific playing the central character of Lily, in fact the play is hers. Delivering the songs, costume changes on stage and connecting with the audience. She is supported by a terrific cast, especially the Director, played by Stephen Ashfield, a Scottish actor, himself straight from the West End. I particularly liked his put-down, ‘not too Essex dear’, being an Essex Girl myself and Lily’s reminiscence about Southend on Sea, my hometown. The admirable cast all play instruments and harmonise the songs delivered by Lily, not forgetting the musical director Frew. What more can you ask from an all-round talented cast? The set design is stunning utilising the studio technical kit fully, including flying fifty telephone receivers and dropping rose petals on a roller on to the audience. I wonder who sweeps them up? It would grace the main house admirably, but in the studio, you get a real sense of connection. It is funny, moving and a delight. Straight through without an interval, just what the tourists need. The only problem is the cheap laughs through bad language. I suppose the F-word is common parlance these days. I noticed a young lad sitting in the front row. Not good. But that is the only flaw. The show runs through till the 2 August. Catch it if you can.
