Alan Cumming and Shirley Henderson have rekindled their professional partnership on stage at the Pitlochry Festival Theatre. The duo first crossed paths decades ago while filming the STV drama Shadow of the Stone. At the time, a 20-year-old Henderson was fresh out of drama school, while a 21-year-old Cumming felt seasoned despite his youth.
The two are now starring in The History of Paper, a play written by the late Oliver Emanuel with music by Gareth Williams. Originally a radio drama, the piece evolved into a musical that resonated deeply with Cumming after he viewed it during a break from filming Glenrothan. Recognizing the potential for an older cast to portray the characters’ lifelong journey, Cumming suggested he and Henderson take on the lead roles. Their natural rapport and shared history allow them to navigate the production’s emotional complexity with ease.
Offstage, both actors maintain personal collections of paper artifacts. Henderson preserves letters from her father, while Cumming keeps sketches created by his husband, Grant. The production, which highlights the themes of memory and transition, runs at Pitlochry through September 12 before moving to the Dundee Rep Theatre later that month.
