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Alan Cumming in conversation with Janice Forsyth

27 August 2015

Alan Cumming is appearing at the Edinburgh International Book Festival, where he is discussing his life and acting career with Ian Rankin. He also reflects on Not My Father's Son, the memoir about Cumming's tough upbringing which was published in 2014. In November, Janice Forsyth interviewed Cumming about the book - watch the interview here.

Alan Cumming and Ian Rankin appear at the Book Festival, 29 August at 20:15. Note that this event is sold out.

By Janice Forsyth

It's always a pleasure to talk to Alan Cumming – Scottish film & theatre star, director, LGBT activist, singer, photographer, bon viveur - currently juggling his starring role as the EmCee at Studio 54 in New York, and his award-winning turn as the Machiavellian Eli Gold in the TV series, The Good Wife.

He’s done it all – appeared in Stanley Kubrick’s Eyes Wide Shut AND the X-Men and Spy Kids franchises, US stage shows with Liza Minnelli and Cyndi Lauper as well as tours with the National Theatre of Scotland in Macbeth and The Bacchae.

What a dream life it has appeared to be, and I've watched his trajectory with awe and affection since I first saw him on stage in Glasgow in the 1980s, but I knew nothing about his childhood and the violent beatings he suffered at the hands of his controlling, manipulative father.

This is the story that he tells so deftly in his memoir, Not My Father’s Son – the narrative shifting from THEN - the unbearable tension of his years growing up in the Perthshire countryside, trying to avoid his father’ sudden rages – and NOW – when Alan takes part in the TV series, Who Do You Think You Are? to uncover the truth behind the death of his maternal grandfather in Malaysia. In the middle of that emotional journey, his father delivers the shocking news that Alan is not his son.

The devastating twists and turns read like a thriller – a story of family secrets and lies which are finally revealed – leading, in turn to celebration and closure, not only for Alan, but also for his much loved mother and older brother. Oh, and there are laughs too – which Alan shares in our Culture Studio special.

The original version of this article was published in November 2014.

Radio 4 - Book of the Week

Alan Cumming reads from Not My Father's Son: A Family Memoir on Book of the Week on BBC Radio 4. First broadcast on Monday 17 November 2014.