Skip to main content Skip to footer site map

Firebrand Theatre Company To Become An Associate Company At Pitlochry Festival Theatre

The company has established its reputation with inventive touring revivals of modern Scottish plays.

Firebrand Theatre Company To Become An Associate Company At Pitlochry Festival Theatre

Pitlochry Festival Theatre has announced that Scottish Borders based Firebrand is to become a new Associate Company. The relationship will launch with a rehearsed reading of Firebrand's original script A Journey With Nan Shepherd - LIVE at the Winter Words Festival at Pitlochry Festival Theatre on Saturday 11 February 2023 at 3pm.

Award-winning Firebrand, led by Creative Producer and Actor, Ellie Zeegen, former Dundee Rep and Pitlochry Festival Theatre Associate Director, Richard Baron, as Director of Productions, and Executive Director, Susan Taylor, had recent success with their critically acclaimed dramatised podcasts about writer and hillwalker Nan Shepherd, which featured on the Theatre's Sound Stage platform.

The company has established its reputation with inventive touring revivals of modern Scottish plays such as Iron, which featured the "world class" (Scotsman) performance of Blythe Duff, and international hits such as Grounded, of which The Times said, "Firebrand has the knack of discovering new plays destined to become contemporary classics."

Firebrand's debut production was at The Wynd Theatre, Melrose in 2010 and the company has always been proud of its southern Scotland roots and reflects this in its programming. In 2015 Firebrand celebrated the opening of the Borders Railway by staging The Great Train Race in the new Galashiels Station and in 2019 produced a hugely popular new biographical drama about Scottish rugby legend Bill McLaren in his home-town venue, Heart of Hawick.

Pitlochry Festival Theatre's Artistic Director Elizabeth Newman commented, "We are thrilled to announce Firebrand as Pitlochry Festival Theatre's first Associate Company. Over the coming months we will welcome two more Associate Companies to the Theatre, and we are very excited to build on our relationship with Firebrand Theatre Company and our longstanding relationship with Richard Baron. We successfully collaborated with Firebrand on our 2018 production of The Last Witch, and on the recent Nan Shepherd podcasts and we are delighted to share the news of our co-commission with Firebrand to produce a brand-new play in our 2024 studio season. It is exciting to form a working relationship with such a high quality, rural company enabling both organisations to add a refreshing new dynamic and range of ideas and possibilities for audiences.

Firebrand's Ellie Zeegen said, "We are thrilled to working with the world-class Theatre in the Hills. To produce some of our future work in partnership with Pitlochry Festival Theatre and explore the possibilities of its superb new studio space, is a tremendous opportunity to build our respective audiences and further Firebrand's founding ambition to make great, relevant, daring theatre in a rural environment before exporting it to the city and beyond."

Director Richard Baron is also excited by the prospect of continuing his strong links with the Theatre: "I have been lucky enough to have experienced many of my favourite theatre moments either watching plays on, or directing plays for, the Pitlochry stage and my recent productions there have been as varied and challenging as the musical Chicago or the wonderful Heritage by Nicola McCartney. It is hugely inspiring that in its bold programming choices Pitlochry's ambitions seem to know no bounds and, with its similarly pioneering spirit, Firebrand can't wait to join forces with Elizabeth Newman and her brilliant team to create some highly imaginative and truly memorable, world-class theatre."

To book tickets for A Journey With Nan Shepherd-LIVE at 3pm on Saturday 11 February 2023, contact the Theatre's Box Office on 01796 484626 or visit www.pitlochryfestivaltheatre.com.



BroadwayWorld Scotland Editor to Join CATS panel Photo
The Critics’ Awards for Theatre in Scotland (CATS) are organised annually and awarded by the theatre critics of Scotland to celebrate the best Scottish theatre achievements in the theatre year May–April.

Traverse Theatre Stages New Scottish Comedy, SEAN AND DARO FLAKE IT TIL THEY MAKE IT Photo
Looking for a way out of their humdrum lives in the outskirts of Glasgow, straight-laced Sean, fresh from dropping out of uni, and the gallus Daro, overflowing with charisma and business 'acumen', reckon they can be the dream team of frozen treats.

THE STAMPING GROUND Returns For Scottish Tour In 2023 Photo
The Stamping Ground, the must-see new stage musical featuring the hits of Runrig, one of Scotland's most beloved and iconic bands, is set to hit the road on a Scotland-wide tour later this year.

Dame Judi Dench Comes to Edinburgh Playhouse This Summer Photo
Dame Judi Dench 'I Remember It Well' will provide a rare opportunity to see one of the world's best-loved actresses back on stage. Following multiple sell-out performances in London's West End, this one-off special live show comes to the Edinburgh Playhouse on 8th August and will see Dame Judi look back at a career spanning almost six decades.


More Hot Stories For You


BroadwayWorld Scotland Editor to Join CATS panelBroadwayWorld Scotland Editor to Join CATS panel
March 24, 2023

The Critics’ Awards for Theatre in Scotland (CATS) are organised annually and awarded by the theatre critics of Scotland to celebrate the best Scottish theatre achievements in the theatre year May–April.

Traverse Theatre Stages New Scottish Comedy, SEAN AND DARO FLAKE IT 'TIL THEY MAKE ITTraverse Theatre Stages New Scottish Comedy, SEAN AND DARO FLAKE IT 'TIL THEY MAKE IT
March 23, 2023

Looking for a way out of their humdrum lives in the outskirts of Glasgow, straight-laced Sean, fresh from dropping out of uni, and the gallus Daro, overflowing with charisma and business 'acumen', reckon they can be the dream team of frozen treats.

THE STAMPING GROUND Returns For Scottish Tour In 2023THE STAMPING GROUND Returns For Scottish Tour In 2023
March 23, 2023

The Stamping Ground, the must-see new stage musical featuring the hits of Runrig, one of Scotland's most beloved and iconic bands, is set to hit the road on a Scotland-wide tour later this year.

Dame Judi Dench Comes to Edinburgh Playhouse This SummerDame Judi Dench Comes to Edinburgh Playhouse This Summer
March 23, 2023

Dame Judi Dench 'I Remember It Well' will provide a rare opportunity to see one of the world's best-loved actresses back on stage. Following multiple sell-out performances in London's West End, this one-off special live show comes to the Edinburgh Playhouse on 8th August and will see Dame Judi look back at a career spanning almost six decades.

Edinburgh International Children's Festival Announces Its Programme With Tickets On Sale For 2023Edinburgh International Children's Festival Announces Its Programme With Tickets On Sale For 2023
March 22, 2023

The Edinburgh International Children’s Festival launched its programme with an exciting line up of activities, events and performances for young people, schools, families, and industry professionals to immerse themselves within.