Sir Ian McKellen Performs on Stage
Sir Ian McKellen, at the age of 86, demonstrates his vitality by inflating a red balloon on stage. He releases it, watching it follow a dramatic arc as it ascends and then descends. Portraying Ed, an aging gay man, he declares, “Free the spirit,” symbolizing a quest for liberation.
Pitlochry Festival Theatre Hosts First LGBTQ+ Festival
Over the recent weekend, Pitlochry Festival Theatre, under the fresh leadership of artistic director Alan Cumming, introduced its inaugural LGBTQ+ festival titled Out in the Hills. Organized by Lewis Hetherington, the festival spanned three days and featured a vibrant mix of dialogues, preliminary performances, and workshops. These activities transformed the typically tranquil theatre into a lively center of social interaction.
Upon my arrival, I encountered the audience exiting a session with Coinneach MacLeod, also known as the Hebridean Baker. A lively and colorful crowd gathered for photos in the lobby, maneuvering around lines of people waiting at the bar. The energy was palpable, fueled by memories of the previous night’s Queer As Folk! ceilidh, orchestrated by the Malin Lewis Trio, and anticipation for the upcoming discussion between transgender playwright Jo Clifford and her daughter Catriona Innes. While I didn’t meet anyone who had participated in Finlay Wilson’s Kilted Yoga, it was certainly a buzzed-about activity.
Ian McKellen Stars in “Equinox”
During the festival, Ian McKellen participated in a staged reading of “Equinox,” a new monologue by Laurie Slade. Slade, who is also a psychotherapist, wove insights from Freud and the complexities of the Oedipus complex into the script. The play, marked by a tone of sharp regret, delves into Ed’s abandonment of his family and his entanglement with a controlling younger man. Directed by Slade and André Agius, McKellen intensely engaged with the audience, gripping the microphone closely to emphasize the emotional turmoil of a man grappling with his past at life’s end.
As Ed reminisced about his estranged daughter, neglected wife, and a patient he couldn’t save, he implored the audience to “Be slow to judgment.” His recounting of a demeaning encounter with a man he met in a gay bar added to the poignancy of his reflections.
Following his performance, McKellen received another round of applause simply for being present in the audience of the next event, a lively discussion between Alan Cumming and television host Graham Norton discussing Norton’s career in television.
Alan Cumming, donned in a shirt with the playful phrase “Ae fond pish” and wearing ankle boots from his stint on The Traitors US, maintained a light-hearted yet insightful tone. He touched on serious topics like homophobia, representation, and rights, even as the conversation veered into more playful territory.
Graham Norton Charms the Audience
Graham Norton expressed his delight at the festival’s vibrant atmosphere, saying, “I love that there’s this big gay thing in the middle of Scotland.” Known for his zebra-striped fleece acquired in New York, Norton skillfully navigated questions from the audience, ranging from challenging guests to memorable TV moments. His responses were a blend of humor, gossip, and genuine appreciation for his celebrity guests. His condemnation of conversion therapy was met with as much enthusiasm as his anecdotes about Cher and Tom Cruise, highlighting his ability to engage and entertain in equal measure.
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Fatima Clarke is a seasoned health reporter who bridges medical science with human stories. She writes with compassion, precision, and a drive to inform.
