Review: A History of Paper at Pitlochry Festival Theatre, starring Alan Cumming and Shirley Henderson
Updated: Aug 23
A new production of award-winning Scottish musical A History of Paper runs at Pitlochry Festival Theatre until 12 September, before transferring to Dundee Rep Theatre. Pitlochry's Artistic Director Alan Cumming comes out from behind the scenes to join his friend Shirley Henderson on the theatre's main stage. Read my review here.
A History of Paper ★★★★☆
Review: 20 August 2026 | Pitlochry Festival Theatre
A new production of award-winning Scottish musical A History of Paper has opened this week at Pitlochry Festival Theatre. Starring the theatre's Artistic Director Alan Cumming alongside his long-time friend Shirley Henderson, A History of Paper is a co-production between Pitlochry Festival Theatre and Dundee Rep Theatre.
First staged in 2024 at the Traverse Theatre in Edinburgh as part of that year's Edinburgh Festival Fringe, A History of Paper is a beautiful, whimsical musical that charts the love between Glasgow neighbours (Cumming and Henderson) through the myriad little bits of paper they accumulate during their relationship. Pizza menus, postcards, origami, letters and even shopping lists are some of the keepsakes amassed in the cardboard box at the centre of their tale.
Performed at its debut in 2024 by two young actors in their twenties, here megastars Cumming and Henderson transform the story into a memory play, the older adults looking back on the time when they first met. It works beautifully with both Cumming and Henderson resplendent in their roles.
'He' (Cumming) is an aimless, dishevelled, heartbroken young man, when 'She' (Henderson) - a bright travel journalist - bursts into his life one night and asks him to turn down his melancholy Radiohead music.
The writing is gorgeous and the dialogue full of humour and raw emotion. Returning Director, Dundee Rep's Andrew Panton expertly steers the two stars to deliver authentic, subtle performances that never overshadow the everyday Glaswegian characters.
Created originally as a radio play by composer Gareth Williams and the late Oliver Emanuel, A History of Paper now makes the leap from intimate studio production at the Fringe to Pitlochry Festival Theatre's main stage.
Ana Inés Jabares Pita's imposing design floods the stage, yet the creative team have wisely kept the small-scale, chamber-musical feel of the show. They've added stunning moments of impressive visual theatre through props, Bruno Poet's nuanced lighting, and yes, lots and lots of pieces of paper. But it's not overproduced; these touches come at just the right moments and in just the right volume. They still allow the lyrical storytelling and affecting piano music to shine through.
Pianist Gavin Whitworth joins the central duo on stage, providing enchanting live music for Cumming and Henderson's love story. Panton's playful direction has the three interacting seamlessly, making the musician a welcome part of the play.
For me, nothing will ever compare with seeing A History of Paper for the first time in the tiny Traverse 2 studio theatre space; being so close to the actors had an emotional impact that can't be replicated in a main theatre space. But this is such a gorgeous story, uniquely woven using everyday bits of paper, that it's unforgettable even in its new, larger home.
Pitlochry Festival Theatre and Dundee Rep have created an elevated yet still poignant and thought-provoking production of A History of Paper that affords audiences a rare opportunity to see two of Scotland's brightest stars together on stage. It's essential viewing for any Scottish Theatre fan.
A History of Paper runs at Pitlochry Festival Theatre until 12 September, before transferring to Dundee Rep Theatre from 16 - 19 September. For tickets and further information, visit pitlochryfestivaltheatre.com. The performances at Dundee Rep have now SOLD OUT
More Pitlochry Festival Theatre news and reviews here
More Scottish theatre news and reviews here
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