At the Pitlochry Festival Theatre in Scotland, a unique celebration of LGBTQ+ culture took place over three days, marking a bold move by new artistic director Alan Cumming. The event, aptly titled "Out in the Hills," offered a diverse range of talks, performances, and workshops that transformed the usually sedate theatre into a lively social hub.
As I arrived at the venue, I was greeted by a colorful gathering of attendees who had attended previous events, such as the Queer As Folk! ceilidh led by the Malin Lewis Trio. The atmosphere was vibrant, with many patrons still basking in the excitement of the night before and eagerly awaiting Sunday's conversation between trans playwright Jo Clifford and her daughter Catriona Innes.
One event that caught my attention was a rehearsed reading of Laurie Slade's new monologue, Equinox. Sir Ian McKellen took to the stage as Ed, an elderly gay man struggling to find release. With his impressive lung capacity at 86 years old, McKellen delivered a powerful performance, bringing the character's frustrations and regrets to life. The audience applauded enthusiastically for the reading, and even McKellen himself received a standing ovation after simply sitting in the audience.
The event also featured a conversation between Cumming and Graham Norton about his career, which was met with equal enthusiasm from the audience. Norton's effortless charm and wit shone through as he fielded questions, shared anecdotes, and spoke out against conversion therapy. His unapologetic humor, paired with genuine affection for his celebrity guests, left the audience in stitches.
Norton even got to indulge in some lighthearted banter, discussing a zebra-striped fleece picked up in New York, which elicited both laughter and applause from the crowd. The event's tone was consistently playful, yet also touched on more serious topics such as homophobia, representation, and rights.
As I observed the enthusiastic response to "Out in the Hills," it became clear that this festival had struck a chord with its audience. By bringing together people from the LGBTQ+ community and those who support them, the event fostered an environment of acceptance and inclusivity. As Norton so aptly put it, "I love that there's this big gay thing in the middle of Scotland."
As I arrived at the venue, I was greeted by a colorful gathering of attendees who had attended previous events, such as the Queer As Folk! ceilidh led by the Malin Lewis Trio. The atmosphere was vibrant, with many patrons still basking in the excitement of the night before and eagerly awaiting Sunday's conversation between trans playwright Jo Clifford and her daughter Catriona Innes.
One event that caught my attention was a rehearsed reading of Laurie Slade's new monologue, Equinox. Sir Ian McKellen took to the stage as Ed, an elderly gay man struggling to find release. With his impressive lung capacity at 86 years old, McKellen delivered a powerful performance, bringing the character's frustrations and regrets to life. The audience applauded enthusiastically for the reading, and even McKellen himself received a standing ovation after simply sitting in the audience.
The event also featured a conversation between Cumming and Graham Norton about his career, which was met with equal enthusiasm from the audience. Norton's effortless charm and wit shone through as he fielded questions, shared anecdotes, and spoke out against conversion therapy. His unapologetic humor, paired with genuine affection for his celebrity guests, left the audience in stitches.
Norton even got to indulge in some lighthearted banter, discussing a zebra-striped fleece picked up in New York, which elicited both laughter and applause from the crowd. The event's tone was consistently playful, yet also touched on more serious topics such as homophobia, representation, and rights.
As I observed the enthusiastic response to "Out in the Hills," it became clear that this festival had struck a chord with its audience. By bringing together people from the LGBTQ+ community and those who support them, the event fostered an environment of acceptance and inclusivity. As Norton so aptly put it, "I love that there's this big gay thing in the middle of Scotland."
anyway back to this festival i think what caught my attention was how they incorporated local artisans into the event it felt so organic and community-driven u no? like they didn't just bring in big names for the sake of it, but actually listened to the needs and interests of the local queer scene 
I think what struck me most about the Pitlochry Festival Theatre's "Out in the Hills" celebration is how it seamlessly blended humor with heart. The event's tone was expertly balanced, allowing attendees to laugh and be entertained while still being able to engage with more serious topics like homophobia and representation 
. The conversation between Graham Norton and the celebrity guests was particularly impressive, showcasing his skill at making everyone feel comfortable while still tackling tough topics 
. And let's be real, who wouldn't want to see Sir Ian McKellen reading Laurie Slade's monologue Equinox? 
I'm literally living for this! Alan Cumming is a genius for organizing such an epic celebration at Pitlochry Festival Theatre 
. The fact that Sir Ian McKellen still has it 
and can bring so much emotion to his performance at 86 years old? Mind. Blown. 
And Graham Norton's humor and charm are just the icing on the cake, it was like having a laugh with an old friend 
. I'm all about this inclusive vibe and the way it brought people together is truly special 
. It's amazing to see events like "Out in the Hills" popping up, especially in rural Scotland, and I hope we see more of this kind of love and acceptance spreading 
anyway, think it's cool that norton was there to keep things lighthearted but at the same time, serious issues were being talked about too, representation and rights are super important
The event was so well-curated, with talks, performances, and workshops that catered to everyone's interests. And can we talk about the guest list? Sir Ian McKellen stealing the show with his powerful performance as an elderly gay man struggling to find release is giving me LIFE 
.
, love how they kept the tone playful but also got real about homophobia & rights. cant wait to see more events like this in the future 
and I am FREAKING OUT 
. And Sir Ian McKellen performing at 86?! 
Mind blown. The way Graham Norton spoke out against conversion therapy was so needed 
and I love how he made it lighthearted yet still impactful 
. The whole vibe of the festival seemed so inclusive and fun 
. Can't wait to see more events like this in the future 
. I wish more places could have festivals like "Out in the Hills" where everyone can come together and celebrate diversity 
I've got my doubts about Alan Cumming's motives. Is he trying to cash in on the whole LGBTQ+ movement or something? 
And what's with all the big-name celebrities showing up? Can't they just stay behind the scenes for once? 
It feels like a bunch of rich folks getting together, having a good time, and pretending to care about the community. Not saying it's not nice, but let's not get too caught up in the hype, you know? 