Michael Cox reviews ‘an absolute powerhouse’ of a production.
Why do we need another version of A History of Paper? The play had a rather celebrated premiere a mere two years ago during the Traverse Theatre’s 2024 Fringe season. The production rightfully earned rave reviews and even won several awards, including the Critics Award for Theatre in Scotland’s award for Best Director last year.
Indeed, Andrew Panton has even returned to directing duties for this new version, which has opened as a key production in Alan Cumming’s inaugural season as artistic director at Pitlochry Festival Theatre. Cumming is starring along with Shirley Henderson, making this an even bigger event than the rather lowkey recent version.
And yet, the true hero of this is an individual no longer with us. Oliver Emanuel, a celebrated writer and academic, was cruelly taken from us a few years ago due to brain cancer, and his work as the writer of Paper was the strongest aspect of the initial production that felt like a fitting tribute—and even with the amount of talent involved in this new production, Emanuel’s words remain the single greatest aspect of this emotionally rewarding production.
It’s difficult to disclose much about the plot—the joy of watching it unfold isn’t necessarily within the conventional story of ‘boy meets girl’ playing out but in how He and She relate to each other, and how life’s big moments can be symbolised through mere scraps of paper: from receipts and menus to origami and paper lanterns.
The casting of Cumming and Henderson is a masterstroke—they are a believable couple: charming and funny individually and together. It’s not just the ‘what’ that happens onstage that makes this show work, it’s watching the actors react to each other that bring about some of the most humorous and poignant moments.
Panton’s new production is more than up to the challenge of accommodating the star power. Greys and colour clash, and a script that could easily exist in a small studio fully embraces the large space with smooth staging and simple but effective design concepts.
But it all comes back to Emanuel. The script is a wonderful blend of the clever with the potent, and while the journey is an emotional one, it is never saccharine. Cumming and Henderson play the dialogue brilliantly and perform the songs (with music by Gareth Williams) with aplomb.
Sure, from a logical point of view, A History of Paper might be easy to poke holes through. After all, it’s rather light to the touch and wears its heart on its sleeve, and it isn’t necessarily concerned with originality or grandness. But on an emotional level, the production is an absolute powerhouse. It’s wonderful that it has been given a brand new life—and may it have many more over the years.
A History of Paper performs at Pitlochry Festival Theatre until 12 September 2026. For further details and ticket information, go to the company’s website. The production will also perform at Dundee Rep from 16-19 September. For further details of that run, go to their website.
Photo by Tommy Ga-Ken Wan.
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