Acting pals Cumming and Henderson put 40-year friendship onto paper

Alan Cumming and Shirley Henderson, two acting pals who met as young performers on the STV drama Shadow of the Stone, have turned their 40-year friendship into a stage play. Henderson, who later starred in Harry Potter and Bridget Jones, was just 20 when they first crossed paths, while Cumming, 21, already had a few roles to his name.

Despite their age difference, Cumming recalled feeling like a sophisticated older man, married with a mortgage, when he looks back on their early years. The pair's shared youthful spirit is evident in their first stage appearance together at Pitlochry Festival Theatre, where Cumming is now the artistic director. The play, A History of Paper, evolved from a radio play in 2017 and became a celebrated musical at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in 2024.

The intimate story of a couple reflecting on their lives through accumulated pieces of paper gained even more emotional depth following the death of Oliver Emanuel, the play's wordsmith, in 2023. After seeing the show on a day off from filming Glenrothan, a film directed by Brian Cox and featuring Henderson, Cumming was moved to suggest casting older actors in the roles to play younger versions of themselves.

Recognizing their own childlike qualities and willingness to be vulnerable, Cumming and Henderson were cast as the lead couple. Their chemistry and comfort in portraying their past selves resonate with the audience, creating a powerful and emotional experience. A History of Paper will be at Pitlochry Festival Theatre until September 12th, followed by a run at Dundee Rep Theatre from September 16th to 19th.