Theatre in mourning for ‘wonderful’ John
Beloved former Pitlochry artistic director has died
Pitlochry Festival Theatre is mourning “the wonderful” John Durnin, the former artistic director who worked on some of the organisation’s most enduring productions.
John was artistic director at PFT from 2003-2017 and he will be remembered for a roll call of some of the theatre’s best moments, from To Kill A Mockingbird to Carousel, High Society to Singin’ in the Rain.
John died on Sunday, February 16 at the age of 60 following a short illness.
A statement from the theatre said: “We are greatly saddened to learn of the passing of John Durnin, our artistic director and friend and mentor to so many.
“Our deepest condolences to John’s wife, Jacqueline, his friends and family.
“John was the artistic director at Pitlochry Festival Theatre for 15 years until 2017. He played a key role in the continuing success story of the theatre.
“As a result, Pitlochry enjoys a national and international reputation for the quality and excellence of its productions.”
Pitlochry Festival Theatre’s executive director Kris Bryce said: “John made a significant contribution over his 15year tenure and, on behalf of everyone, I can say he was incredibly important to this special theatre.
“He was instrumental in creating a platform from which we can continue to thrive in the 21st century.”
Elizabeth Newman, Pitlochry Festival Theatre’s current artistic director, said: “John was a wonderful man. He was incredibly supportive. It is a great loss to everyone at Pitlochry Festival Theatre.
“I am certain that this sense of loss felt at the theatre will be shared throughout the arts industry in Scotland and the UK.”
Actor Charlotte Mason-Apps who was in PFT’s 2015 festive show White Christmas, tweeted: “Such awful news. I have such fond memories of John from White Christmas, he really was a lovely man. My heart, prayers and thoughts are with Jacqui and everyone at PFT.”
Dawn Fuge, a mum and Perth independent business owner, tweeted: “So deeply saddened by this. John was a inspirational director and I will always be grateful for how he nurtured our daughter and the other children on his stage. It is because of him and his approach that the acting bug truly bit for her.”
John began his theatre career as a stage manager with Manchester’s Library Theatre Company in 1982, before winning an Arts Council bursary to train there as a director.
The Oxford graduate worked with the Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham, Coventry Belgrade, Chichester Festival Theatre, London’s Albany Empire and numerous drama schools as a freelance director.
John joined PFT as artistic director in 2003 and his subsequent PFT productions have included: The Shop At Sly Corner, To Kill A Mockingbird, Hamlet: The Actors’ Cut, Snake In The Grasss What Every Woman Knows, Nana, My Fair Lady, Little Shop Of Horrors, Communicating Doors, Dear Brutus, Hello, Dolly!, Present Laughter, It’s A Wonderful Life, The Yellow On The Broom, Miracle On 34th Street, A Little Night Music, Pyrenees, White Christmas, Carousel, This Happy Breed, High Society, Europe and Singin’ in the Rain.