Alan Cumming, Shirley Henderson to star in 'A History of Paper' off Broadway

The pair reprise their performances from the musical's sold-out run at the Pitlochry Festival Theatre in Scotland.

Summary

• Alan Cumming and Shirley Henderson will star in A History of Paper off Broadway at Stage 42 from February 12 to May 16
• The musical tells the story of a relationship through paper artifacts
• Cumming and Henderson previously led the musical in Scotland

Tony, Emmy, BAFTA, and Olivier Award winner Alan Cumming and Olivier and BAFTA Award winner Shirley Henderson will star in the U.S. premiere of the new musical A History of Paper, running off Broadway at Stage 42 for a 13-week engagement, from February 12 to May 16 only.

Oliver Emanuel (book and lyrics) and Gareth Williams's (music and lyrics) two-person show tells the story of a relationship through physical paper artifacts like letters, postcards, and tickets. Cumming and Henderson reprise their roles from Scotland runs at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, where it won the Fringe First Award, and Pitlochry Festival Theatre, where Cumming is artistic director.

Cumming returns to the NYC stage for the first time since 2019, and he's widely known for his Tony-winning performance as the Emcee in Cabaret and three-time Emmy-winning stint hosting the reality TV series The Traitors.

Henderson, best known for playing Moaning Myrtle in the Harry Potter films, makes her New York stage debut after a prolific London theatre career, including an Olivier-winning turn in Girl from the North Country.

“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 in a statement. “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!”

“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,” Henderson said in a statement. “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.”

Andrew Panton directs the musical, which also has design by Ana Inés Jabares-Pita, lighting design by Bruno Poet, and sound design by Alexandra Faye Braithwaite. The musical supervisor, musical director, and pianist is Gavin Whitworth. A History of Paper is a co-production from Scotland’s Pitlochry Festival Theatre and Dundee Rep Theatre.