Alan Cumming and Ewan McGregor to lead world stage premiere of Supernova

A stage adaptation of Supernova will run at Pitlochry Festival Theatre, with star casting announced.

It marks the stage debut as a playwright for writer, filmmaker and actor Harry Macqueen, who is responsible for the 2020 film, which starred Colin Firth and Stanley Tucci.

Set to appear are Pitlochry Festival Theatre’s artistic director, Alan Cumming, and Ewan McGregor. Further casting is to be announced.

The story follows Sam and Tusker, who have been together for 20 years. When Tusker receives an early-onset dementia diagnosis, the two set out on a road trip chasing memories and visiting the people they love.

John Tiffany will direct the production, set to open next year, running from 24 July until 21 August 2027.

The creative team also includes movement director Steven Hoggett and designer Jamie Harrison, alongside associate director Sam Hardie.

Supernova is based on the motion picture written and directed by Macqueen and produced by Quiddity and The Bureau.

Cumming shared his excitement at welcoming McGregor, “a fellow Perthshire home boy,” to the theatre. He said: ” A love story, a treatise on life and death itself and a visual feast – with two Scottish laddies at its heart. What more could you want?!”

McGregor shared the affection with his “old friend Alan,” saying: “I have been very moved by the work so far on the text by Harry Macqueen, who is adapting his own screenplay. We are going to be discovering this story with the amazing team of John Tiffany, Jamie Harrison and Steven Hoggett, and it’s going to be quite something to throw myself into this role with such an extraordinary group of visionaries.”

Macqueen shared his joy at being able to revisit the story and characters on stage, adding: “Supernova engages with some of life’s most challenging questions. With debate about end-of-life choices still raging, perhaps these questions feel more prescient now than ever.”

While Tiffany recalls that the film broke his heart when he first watched it, confirming: “To translate this story to the stage is a dream come true.”

Priority booking opens from 29 July, with a general sale on 12 August. Accessible performance details can be found on the theatre’s website.