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Alan Cumming, Shirley Henderson to Star In Off-Broadway Musical ‘A History of Paper’ (Exclusive)
Alan Cumming and Shirley Henderson will star in the Off-Broadway musical *A History of Paper* this winter, bringing a Scottish production to New York. The two-hander follows a love story through the paper keepsakes of a relationship, and marks the first stage of Cumming’s planned theatrical exchange between Manhattan and Scotland.
Performances begin on 12 February 2027 at Stage 42 for a 13-week run ending 16 May. Directed by Andrew Panton, the musical was adapted by Oliver Emanuel and composer Gareth Williams from a 2017 BBC Radio 4 play; it won a Fringe First Award at the 2024 Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Henderson will make her New York stage debut, while Cumming returns to Off-Broadway after a career spanning theatre, film and television.
In short
- Alan Cumming and Shirley Henderson will star in *A History of Paper*.
- The musical runs at Stage 42 from 12 February to 16 May 2027.
- The production brings a Scottish show to New York as part of Cumming’s exchange plan.
Explained simply
Off-Broadway refers to professional theatre in New York staged outside the city’s Broadway theatres, often in smaller venues. A two-hander is a play or musical performed by two actors; this one uses paper keepsakes to tell the story of a couple’s relationship.
Alan Cumming is a Scottish actor known for work in theatre, film and television. Shirley Henderson is a Scottish actor whose New York stage debut will be in this production. Andrew Panton directs the musical, adapted by Oliver Emanuel and composer Gareth Williams from a BBC Radio 4 play.
The piece first reached the stage in Scotland and won a Fringe First Award at the 2024 Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Its New York run is the first part of Cumming’s planned theatrical exchange between Manhattan and Scotland, connecting theatre audiences in the two places.
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