There are few people who would have seen a bright side to Covid lockdowns. However, it did force us to think outside the box – and also think more about the outside. When it came to theatre , the creative minds at Pitlochry Festival Theatre looked at its surroundings and realised it had the ideal location for outdoor performances.
The artistic director at Pitlochry Festival Theatre is Elizabeth Newman and she recalls the reaction to the initial plan to build an outdoor theatre space. “It was very clear to everyone that the pandemic wasn’t going away quickly and we would be in this situation for a while. At first, to some people, it seemed a bit mad.
How could you possibly build an outdoor theatre in Pitlochry?” In that great spirit of “if you build it, they will come”, construction began on the amphitheatre, which now sits on the banks of the river in the Explorers Garden. Having this unique outside space means that certain productions take on more resonance and so it was with the first outdoor production of Wind In The Willows in 2021. It has been a case of triumph over adversity.
The theatre listens to its loyal audience very carefully and it was clear that this additional experience was something they wanted to continue. “The audiences have absolutely loved coming to the amphitheatre,” says Elizabeth. “It’s been quite magical.
While initially it felt like it was just making the best of a bad situation, it has become a great addition to what Pitlochry ca.
