Review: A HISTORY OF PAPER, Pitlochry Festival Theatre
Photo credit: Tommy Ga-Ken Wan
Much of the buzz around Pitlochry Festival Theatre’s season this year centres around its new artistic director, Alan Cumming. A History of Paper marks the first time audiences can see the man himself on stage in Pitlochry, and what a beautiful, poignant piece for him to choose to make this debut. Alongside Cumming, A History of Paper stars Shirley Henderson, and these two stalwarts of Scottish entertainment create a theatrical experience that is nothing short of magical.
A History of Paper tells the story of a relationship through the little pieces of paper that accumulate over the years - postcards, menus, origami cranes, confetti, and the like. The two characters, He and She, reminisce over their love story as they rifle through a box of these paper mementoes. They relive their highs and their lows, and the audience laughs and cries with them in equal measure as the story progresses.
Ana Inés Jabares-Pita’s designs are simple but evocative - the stage is made up of multiple levels, with rocky cliffs and cracks across the surface, while moments of genuine magic appear with Chinese lanterns and paper boats, among others, beautifully lit by Bruno Poet’s creative lighting design.
Cumming and Henderson give such charming, moving performances, and while this is testament to their great talents as actors and Andrew Panton’s direction, the impact of the script and score cannot be denied. The late Oliver Emanuel’s words are so beautiful, so emotive, and so effortlessly funny, allowing Cumming and Henderson to create the most natural, easy relationship in front of our eyes. This, coupled with Gareth Williams’ delightful score, accompanied live by musical director Gavin Whitworth on piano, makes He and She feel three-dimensional and completely real.
Cumming and Henderson have been friends for 40 years, but have never appeared on stage together before now. This feels almost unbelievable, as they work together so incredibly that it’s shocking that theatres around the world haven’t jumped at the chance to pair them up. Everything works here, from their easy banter to the interplay of their voices, Cumming’s strong and powerful and Henderson’s light and floaty. Above all else, it is clear there is so much love on this stage, and that is truly what makes this such a beautiful experience.
***** Five stars
Reviewed by: Lorna Murray
A History of Paper plays at Pitlochry Festival Theatre until 12 September, with further info here.
Performances at Dundee Rep Theatre are now sold out.