Scottish theatre hit A History of Paper, starring Alan Cumming and Shirley Henderson, is set to make its US premiere in New York next year, following a critically acclaimed, sold-out run at Pitlochry Festival Theatre.

The musical, a co-production between Pitlochry Festival Theatre and Dundee Rep Theatre, will enjoy a strictly limited 13-week Off-Broadway run at Stage 42, from 12 February to 16 May 2027.

Directed by Dundee Rep’s Artistic Director Andrew Panton, the production will see Alan Cumming and Shirley Henderson reprise their roles, with the New York transfer presented alongside producers Sonia Friedman Productions, Jerry Goehring and Pemberley Productions.

The move represents a significant milestone for both Scottish theatres, with A History of Paper becoming the first production from either organisation to transfer Off-Broadway.

It also follows the international success of No Love Songs, another production developed at Dundee Rep, which transferred to the US and Australia in 2025.

From Scotland to New York

Written by the late Oliver Emanuel, with music by Gareth Williams, A History of Paper began life as a BBC Radio 4 play in 2017, before being developed for the stage at Dundee Rep’s Rep Stripped festival in 2019.

The intimate two-character musical made its Edinburgh Festival Fringe debut at the Traverse Theatre in 2024, winning a coveted Fringe First Award.

Among those captivated by the production was Alan Cumming, who subsequently worked with director Andrew Panton to bring it to Pitlochry Festival Theatre as part of his first season as Artistic Director.

Told through the everyday paper objects that chart a relationship, from love letters and train tickets to shopping lists and postcards, the musical explores love, loss and the memories we hold on to.

Its New York transfer will see Cumming return to the city’s theatre scene, while marking Henderson’s long-awaited New York stage debut.

Cumming, who took up his role as Artistic Director at Pitlochry in January 2025, described the transfer as the fulfilment of a personal ambition to build stronger theatrical links between Scotland and New York.

“I am so thrilled to bring A History of Paper from my home country of Scotland to my adopted home in New York City,” he said.

“This is one of these rare shows that transcends its own story and manages to touch an audience in a really visceral and beautiful way. And it utterly belongs in New York City.

“Since taking over as Artistic Director at Pitlochry Festival Theatre it has been my plan (and dream) to start a theatrical exchange channel between Manhattan and our theatre in the hills. This is the first show to do so and I couldn’t be happier to be doing it alongside Shirley, who I first worked with over forty years ago!”

For Henderson, whose acclaimed career has included an Olivier Award-winning performance in Girl from the North Country and film roles in Harry Potter, Bridget Jones and Trainspotting, the opportunity is particularly special.

“When Alan whispered backstage to me that we might be taking our show A History of Paper to New York, my heart skipped a beat,” she said.

“In that moment, I felt excited, a little scared but happy to be holding hands with Alan as we take this beautiful piece of writing with sweet music on the next part of its journey.

“I never imagined it was possible to have the opportunity to step onto the New York stage. I am glad it’s with my lovely friend Alan Cumming.”

A milestone for Scottish theatre

The transfer is another international success for Dundee Rep’s Artistic Director Andrew Panton, who won the Scottish Critics’ Best Director Award for his work on A History of Paper.

Panton has also been behind major Scottish productions including The High Life, starring Alan Cumming and Forbes Masson, and James Graham’s Make it Happen, alongside a string of acclaimed productions at Dundee Rep.

Reflecting on the news, he said the show’s international success demonstrated the importance of supporting new writing and developing original work in Scotland.

“Creating this show with Alan, Shirley and our amazing creative team has been a dream,” he said.

“Some stories ask us to lean a little closer. A History of Paper is one of them – the story of one relationship quietly becoming about all of us: the people who shape our lives, the memories we hold on to, and the ordinary moments we come to treasure most.

“The work I’ve seen in New York has long inspired me to make theatre, and to see work developed at Dundee Rep reach international audiences is a powerful reminder of why we invest in new work and the artists who create it. I couldn’t be more excited to bring our beautiful show to New York City audiences.”

The New York production will retain its acclaimed creative team, including designer Ana Inés Jabares-Pita, lighting designer Bruno Poet and sound designer Alexandra Faye Braithwaite, with Gavin Whitworth serving as musical supervisor, musical director and pianist.

A History of Paper will run at the Shubert Organization’s Stage 42, 422 West 42nd Street, New York, from 12 February to 16 May 2027.

Tickets go on sale on 17 November at Telecharge.com, with further information available at www.historyofpapermusical.com.

Read Braw Theatre’s ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ review of A History of Paper at Pitlochry Festival Theatre here.