“a triumphant yet intimate exploration of a television giant “
***** 5 Stars
Recent recipient of a star on the Hollywood walk of fame, acclaimed actor and performer Alan Cumming has launched his debut season as Artistic director of Pitlochry Festival Theatre with an inaugural festival “Out in the hills” an event which showcases the great and the good of the LBGTQIA+ community and its connection to the arts, culture and life blood of Scotland especially in the town known as the gateway to the highlands.
Across three days from the 16th to the 18th of January Pitlochry Festival Theatre came alive with a collection of cultural events including Sir Ian McKellen in a rehearsed reading of Laurie Slade’s one man play “Equinox”. Television producer and acclaimed writer Russel T Davies in discussion with author Jackie Kay regarding her latest literary offering “Red Dust Road”. Crime writer Val McDermid took the stage and even a panel discussion lead by Zander Murray, Scotland’s first openly gay professional footballer.
A truly inventive and open programme of theatre, music, film, sport and dancing was topped off with an evening of conversation as Alan Cumming himself took to the stage to welcome the king of the chat shows Graham Norton to the stage for a probing of an openly gay Irish man who has built a 30 year strong legacy on tv that has seen Norton reach the top of the industry but always remained his unique self.
Alan Cumming arrived on stage to a tumultuous applause its clear his retooling of the festival theatre and its programming has unleased fresh life whilst embracing its heritage it feels like the venue is embracing Scotland and its diverse people better that ever. Graham Norton arrives on stage to huge warm welcome, glass of wine in hand the two kindred spirits soon settle down on the sofas as Cumming begins his gentle probing of Nortons professional life.
Norton, born Graham William Walker first came to prominence in 1992 following training at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, as a stand-up comedian at that years Edinburgh Fringe Festival as tea towel clad Mother Teresa of Calcutta stand up drag comedy act. Following some confusion at Scottish Televisions religious affairs department who believed Norton was the real blessed mother.
His path led to BBC radio 4 then onto the newly launched Channel 5 as stand in host of Jack Docherty’s, late night chat show. Channel 5 quiz shows would follow before Graham landed the role of Father Noel Furlong in Channel 4 now comedy classic Father Ted, featuring in just three episodes, Norton spoke fondly of his time on the show. Channel 4 was the home of his first iteration of chat show, So Graham Norton which launched in 1998. Such was his success that Norton returned to the BBC in 2001 as host of comic relief and Graham has called the corporation home ever since.
Talent search shows, how do you solve a problem like Maria, Any Dream will do, I’d Do Anything and over the rainbow became Saturday night prime time main stays, whilst in 2007 Norton brough his big red chair to Friday nights with the Graham Norton Show which still draws impressive viewing figures to this day.
Stints hosting the Bafta’s, judging RuPaul’s Drag Race UK and a revamped Wheel of Fortune have all followed. Norton’s unmitigated badge of queerness must be as the beloved voice of commentary of the Eurovision Song Contest which he has held since 2009.
There was much for Alan Cumming to probe, and it was a fascinating insight into a unique treasure of British television. Norton himself came across as warm and affable as he is on tv but without the constraints tv brings he did himself justice. While Cumming ensured the spotlight remained on Norton, he wasn’t averse to answering a question or two himself especially when he opened the evening up to the sold-out audience.
Many questions looked at guests on Nortons chat show, his views on sexuality in an industry he has conquered giving the audience an evening which became a triumphant yet intimate exploration of a television giant. It was intriguing that the only real subject that wasn’t raised was his connection to Eurovision but perhaps that will allow for a second evening of probing of Graham Norton at the Pitlochry Festival Theatre.
The inaugural Out In The Hills Festival has set the bar high, lets hope it becomes an annual tradition in the heart of the highlands. As for Graham Norton the best has still to come as he remains a television institution who will forever been unapologetically himself! Long me he reign!
Alan Cumming in Conversation with Graham Norton, as part of “Out in the Hills Festival”, Pitlochry Festival Theatre Run Ended.
ScotsGay Arts 