Alan Cumming and Forbes Masson were the main event at the closing ceremony of the 2024 Wigtown Book Festival, performing to a full audience. The dynamic duo delighted the crowd with stories from their lives and discussions about their latest book, Victor & Barry’s Kelvinside Compendium: A Meander Down Memory Close.
Known for their iconic roles as Victor and Barry and as Steve McCracken and Sebastian Flight in ‘The High Life’, Cumming and Masson also touched on the challenges they faced as students when advised to lose their Scottish accents to succeed in acting. They highlighted the importance of embracing their Scottish identity and the value of their country’s support for the arts.
Reflecting on their journey, Cumming shared how his Scottish accent was once seen as a disadvantage, but later celebrated when he moved to America. Masson added that Victor and Barry represented a bold, confident Scottish voice that challenged stereotypes.
In addition to their performance, Cumming and Masson revealed exciting new projects in the works, including a musical adaptation of ‘The High Life’ and Masson’s role as Caliban in ‘The Tempest’ alongside Sigourney Weaver. Cumming, the newly appointed artistic director of Pitlochry Festival Theatre, expressed his vision to elevate the organization and emphasized the importance of public sector support for the arts.
Praising the Wigtown Book Festival, Masson commended the event for its rejuvenating impact and stressed the significance of sustaining and nurturing the arts as the heart of the nation. The festival, spanning 10 days in Scotland’s national book town, featured a diverse lineup of guests, including renowned chefs, artists, and adventurers.
The festival’s second weekend showcased a ‘festival-in-a-festival’ dedicated to food, with notable personalities like Scotland’s National Chef Gary MacLean and Bake Off winner Peter Sawkins making appearances. Additionally, graphic artist Mollie Rae and adventurer Jessica Hepburn shared their inspiring stories, adding a unique touch to the literary event.
As the festival came to a close, Adrian Turpin, the Artistic Director of the Wigtown Book Festival, reflected on the joyous celebration that brought together visitors from across the UK. Cumming and Masson’s tribute to Scottish culture served as a powerful reminder of the resilience and creativity within the arts sector amidst ongoing challenges.