Alan Cumming and Shirley Henderson to Star Off-Broadway in A History of Paper

Alan Cumming will return to the New York stage on February 12, 2027. The Tony, Emmy, BAFTA and Olivier Award winner will star in the musical A History of Paper off-Broadway at Stage 42, alongside Olivier and BAFTA Award winner Shirley Henderson. The engagement runs 13 weeks, through May 16.

The production marks a transatlantic milestone. Cumming, who also serves as Artistic Director of Pitlochry Festival Theatre in Scotland, has described it as the first show in a planned theatrical exchange between his Scottish venue and Manhattan.

Who is making the musical?

The creative team is Scottish. The show has a book by Oliver Emanuel, with music by Gareth Williams and lyrics by Emanuel and Williams. Andrew Panton directs.

The pairing carries weight. Cumming's awards span four major prize-giving bodies across theater, television and British arts recognition. Henderson, a Olivier and BAFTA winner, first worked with Cumming more than four decades ago.

What did Cumming say?

In a statement, Cumming framed the production as both a homecoming and a beginning.

"I am so thrilled to bring A History of Paper from my home country of Scotland to my adopted home in New York City," Cumming 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."

He added: "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…"

What is the timing?

Performances begin February 12, 2027. The limited engagement runs 13 weeks and closes May 16 at Stage 42, an off-Broadway venue.

The production continues a busy stretch for Cumming, who has been hosting The Traitors and now moves from that series' turret to the stage. For Henderson, it is a return to live theater after a screen career recognized with Olivier and BAFTA honors.

The run's 13-week length, roughly a full quarter of the year, signals a substantial commitment for an off-Broadway house rather than a brief showcase. If the exchange channel Cumming envisions takes hold, A History of Paper could be the first of regular transfers between Pitlochry and Manhattan rather than a one-off.