Actors Alan Cumming and Shirley Henderson are appearing together on stage for the first time, starring in the musical production ‘A History of Paper’ at Pitlochry Festival Theatre. The two first met as young performers on the STV drama Shadow of the Stone, with Henderson at age 20 shortly after completing drama school and Cumming at 21 with some prior acting experience.
The production is based on a radio play that premiered in 2017, featuring words by Oliver Emanuel and music by Gareth Williams. The work was subsequently developed into a musical staged at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in 2024. The narrative centers on a couple reflecting on their relationship through various papers and documents they have accumulated over time. The project took on additional poignancy following the death of Emanuel in 2023.
Cumming, who recently became artistic director of Pitlochry Festival Theatre, attended a performance of the show and was moved by its emotional resonance. He subsequently approached director Andrew Panton with the idea of casting older actors in the roles who could portray younger versions of themselves, rather than following the original production’s approach of using younger performers. Now aged 61 and 60 respectively, Cumming and Henderson were selected for the parts, their long personal history informing their portrayal of an enduring relationship.
Both performers emphasized the ease of working together and their willingness to embrace vulnerability in the roles. The production features elements that resonate emotionally with the cast members—Henderson treasures letters from her late father sent during her time living in London, while Cumming values drawings created by his husband Grant that appear on correspondence and notepads.
The show runs at Pitlochry Festival Theatre until September 12, followed by performances at Dundee Rep Theatre from September 16-19.
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