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Alan Cumming is reviving a new festival in Scotland, which is going to be dedicated solely to the LGBTQ+ community’s artistic and performance fronts. The main character behind this festival is none other than Cumming, who in his interview with Attitude Magazine, mentioned it as an exclusive reference to his project, Out in the Hills, which is to be held in Pitlochry, a village in Scotland and will center around the queer art as well as dialog. This festival is indeed a milestone in the UK LGBTQ+ cultural scene, which can only be experienced a few times during the year.
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The actor who hailed his Cabaret role, expressed his joy over the entire project and emphasized the necessity of such sites to be established where the LGBTQ+ population would feel free to show up. Out in the Hills is indeed going to be such festival which will be extremely huge not only in terms of performances but also in terms of dialogues attempting to convey the human experience through the highlands’ lens. It is like, in the artistic sense, and Alan Cumming is here to affirm it, there is a strong commitment to fostering a community of artists and their expressions.
The reaction to the news was mostly positive with a lot of voices backing Cumming’s activism. One comment was nearly bursting out of excitement as if saying, “This is great!! Wonderful! X” In addition, another voice granted that actors are using their roles for social causes, therefore, “Good when actors become advocates” was the whole point of his message.
Nonetheless, there were not only upbeat comments coming through. Some individuals instantly doubted the event’s novelty claiming it was the first by the festival’s first statement. A social media user wrote, “The first?@outandwildlgbtq has been around for a couple of years immediately.” Another one was in agreement with him and passing on that they are not the first ones made it clearer. “Not the first. @outandwildlgbtq has been active for four years,” he said. This brought about a bit of discussion regarding the already existing LGBTQ+ festivals in the UK.
During the serious debate, a participant made a joke of a light nature. He made a pun on the actor’s last name and asked, “Please tell me the festival’s name, ‘Everyone is Cumming?’” Everyone laughed out loud, such a joyful and amusing statement amidst serious discussions and less serious ones.
One person seemed not to be in agreement with the very concept of the festival and candidly expressed his opinion saying, “He is somewhat annoying.” This opinion, in turn, pointed out that even though public figures are always trying to be good, not everyone resulting from them gets to be charming for the entire group of observers.
Another commenter completely turned the tables around and shifted the attention from the festival to Cumming’s personal life. “But you have become an American, whose life, tax, and passport are all in the States,” he said, reminiscing about the actor’s dual citizenship and residency in California. That was a start of the topic whether artists should sever ties with their home countries while pursuing international careers.
Alan Cumming has, for always, been a strong advocate of LGBTQ+ rights as well as artistic freedom. Throughout the years, in various roles in films, TV, and theater, he has played characters in series like The Good Wife or done multiple on-stage performances that challenge the traditional boundaries. This festival is, however, another step on his path to creating avenues for the unheard and the unseen to gain resonance and community building. His work often reminds fans of his unforgettable Saturday Night on Broadway with Lady Gaga.
Out in the Hills was, however, perfectly timed as the discussions on LGBTQ+ rights have just taken an interesting global turn. By placing Cumming at the forefront in the Scottish countryside, he is literally putting queer art at the very unorthodox, rural and nature-backed place that is non-city areas where art and discussions that matter can be held.
This project is not so much about being the first one ever as it is about the specific vision that Cumming brings in. Given his long-sustained activism and performance experience, he surely will make the festival really one-of-a-kind in the cultural landscape. Moreover, it is the fusing of the recognized artistic merits and the community’s dedication to involvement that the expected great impact comes from. He is also known for his beloved pet, as Alan Cummings’s dog Lala has made surprise appearances.
Nevertheless, at this stage, the details of the programming and participants still being unveiled, the initial reaction alone is already indicating a strong interest in the LGBTQ+ cultural scene What Out in the Hills will be. Whether it be the breaking of the new ground or the addition to the existing foundations, the new adventure of Cumming signifies the unfolding creation of the environment where queer art can go on flourishing and reaching the audience in the beautiful and unconventional places. Fans of his film work also recall his role as Nightcrawler in the X-Men films.
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The festival announcement discussion illustrates the new LGBTQ+ projects being very much welcomed but also the criticism being present mainly on the question of how they fit into the wider cultural ecosystem. This coexistence of excitement and critical stance eventually
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