Why I am looking forward to Alan Cumming's LGBT+ festival in Pitlochry
Social media comments about this festival would have you believe no one wants this - so why is it sold out?
When the post-Christmas blues hit in January, it is always good to have some things in the diary to look forward to.
One thing I have tickets for is Out in the Hills, Alan Cumming’s new three-day LGBT+ festival at Pitlochry Festival Theatre.
For those who do not know, Alan Cumming is now the artistic director of the theatre and his programmed season gets under way in the New Year.
I may not identify as LGBT+ myself, but as a member of the Pitlochry community I could not let something as big as this go by without heading along myself.
Yet many comments I have seen on social media and in newspaper columns in the past week or so would have you believe the entire town is in disbelief at such a raucous event happening at the local theatre.
From those I have spoken to it is true - we are in disbelief at how a little theatre like Pitlochry has managed to attract big name stars and get so much media coverage.
Many comments I have seen recently would have those from outside the town thinking the entire weekend will be a flop because it is not wanted. Hard to believe given the household names that are due to make an appearance - Graham Norton (sold out), Sir Ian McKellen (sold out), the Kilted Yogis (sold out), the Hebridean Baker (sold out), and Alan Cumming himself (as I write this, there is one ticket for a back row seat still up for grabs).
A far cry from the theatre I used to go for lunch with my granny at - and that is not a bad thing.
It has also been disappointing to see the lazy assumptions people have made about my family’s home town. For example, Stephen Daisley’s column in The Spectator (‘Scotland does not need an LGBTQIA+ festival) describes Pitlochry as a “sleepy town” of “retirees” who enjoy “golf and fishing, not queer performing arts”.
Yes, the town is small. Yes, it is rural. But that does not automatically mean everyone in the town does not want this festival or is not part of the LGBT+ community themselves (yes, even those sleepy retirees - Alan Cumming himself is queer, in his 60s and from the neighbouring town).
For a good bit of the year during the tourist season, Pitlochry is as far from “sleepy” as you can get - anyone who has been over this summer or for The Enchanted Forest last month can attest to that.
If any readers are planning to come to Out in the Hills in Pitlochry, please do not believe the town does not care about this festival and is unhappy. The town will be buzzing over the three days and you will be more than welcome (especially as many tourism businesses struggle in January).
I am now looking forward to a week of annual leave, which I plan to spend chilling out - activities include taking a hike up Ben-y-Vrackie, running out to Killiecrankie and having a meal out with my friends at Fern Cottage (all great activities for any visitors coming to the theatre and looking to make a day of it).
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