Pitlochry Festival Theatre: Top Five What's On
Pitlochry Festival Theatre – Top Five What’s On
This summer, Pitlochry Festival Theatre comes alive with a vibrant and eclectic programme of performances, events, and experiences. Whether you're after thrilling drama, uplifting musicals, or a day out in the Highland air, there’s something to stir every soul:
Auditorium Performances
Join the thrilling atmosphere in the main auditorium with a line-up that promises laughter, romance, and show-stopping musical numbers.
This year’s must-see productions include:
• Grease (18th Jun to 27th Sep): Feel the summer nights with this high-energy musical packed with iconic hits.
• The Great Gatsby (27th Jun to 25th Sep): Glamour, jazz, and drama come together in this dazzling adaptation of the classic novel.
• The 39 Steps (11th Jul to 26th Sep): A fast-paced, hilarious take on the Hitchcock thriller with just four actors playing over 100 roles.
• Sunshine on Leith (25th Jul to 27th Sep): An uplifting celebration of love, family, and home, set to the timeless songs of The Proclaimers.
Studio Performances
Step into an intimate space where big stories unfold. Catch compelling new work and original productions in the Studio, including
• Nessie (9th Jul to16th Aug): A whimsical and heart-warming tale inspired by the legend of the Loch Ness Monster.%20Andrew%20Perry%20(4).jpeg)
• This is a Gift (24th Jun to 11th Sep): A contemporary take on the Midas Myth set in Leith.
• A Toast Fae the Lassies (29th Aug to 24th Sep):This dynamic new musical play explores the life of Robert Burns through the perspectives of the three women who knew him best.
Amphitheatre Events
Enjoy outdoor performances and talks in the theatre’s stunning outdoor venue:
• A Beer, A Bap and A Boffin – How to Train your wildcat? (2nd Aug) and What is forensic science and why does it matter? (23rd Aug)
• Actéon (30th Aug to 13th Sep): A Scots Opera Project, this intimate and immersive performance breathes new life into the Baroque masterpiece.
• The Seal-Woman (28th Aug to 14th Sep): A Scots Opera Project telling of an enchanting folk story that blends myth and music with the magic of the Scottish landscape.
Activities
Designed to spark creativity across ages:
• Explorers Garden (open 1st Apr to 31st Oct): Enjoy seven-acres of woodland gardens
• Pitlochry Sketchers (Thursdays, 10:30am-12:30pm): A friendly, no-pressure space to sketch and socialise
• Theatre Show Choir (Thursdays, 7.15-8.30pm): No auditions, if you love singing, this is the choir for you.
• Make & Play (8th Jul,15th Jul, 5th Aug, 12th Aug at 1pm): Playful, 90 minute arts-based sessions for kids between 6 to 12 years (£3).
• Youth Dance Classes(Mondays, 4.15pm and 5.30pm): Contemporary and pop dancing techniques for ages 5-16.
• Early Stages (Fridays, 10-11am): Themed sessions of fun and play for 0 to 5-year-olds.
Food & Drink
Turn your visit into a multi-sensory feast:
• Pre-Theatre Dining: Themed menus per show, e.g., Chicken Supreme or Burger with Parmesan Truffle Fries and Banana Split Mille Feuille (Grease); Coq au Vin or Nut Roast and Tarte au Citron (The Great Gatsby); Salmon or Vegan Haggis and Cranachan (Sunshine on Leith).
• Festival Picnic Boxes: Enjoy a pre-show riverside bite with cold meats, cheeses, fresh fruit and plenty more.
• Light Lunch Menu: From calamari and tacos to toasties and fries, and with daily specials, there’s always something enticing to sate the appetite.
Since 1951, Pitlochry Festival Theatre has been the artistic heart and soul of Highland Perthshire.
As Scotland’s only major, rurally located arts organisation, they’re more than simply a place to come and see a show, and their purpose is to improve lives by sharing Pitlochry with the world and the world with Pitlochry.
