When Alan Cumming moved to New York City in the late 90s and starred as host in the Broadway Revival cabarethe found a new home more than 3,200 miles from his home country of Scotland.
From the early performance cabaretMeanwhile, he eventually starred in over 800 performances of the show, and Cumming became the beloved fixture of the city’s nightlife. And he hasn’t left since. Almost 30 years later, Cumming still lives in New York, even when he wasn’t filming. He continues to bring energy to the city’s evening entertainment as the owner of Club Coming in East Village. This is a frequently packed nightclub that hosts everything from cabaret performances and tee-dance to burlesque and drink and draw nights.
Even with all his love for New York, Cumming is one of Scotland’s most famous actors and proudly embraces Scottish heritage. Cumming has highlighted the beauty of Scotland across many of his projects, including the BBC Select Show Scotland’s most positive train with Alan Camming and channel 4 Miriam and Alan: Lost in Scotland. Most recently he took Scotland’s Highlands to the global stage as host and producer of the horrifyingly fun Peacock reality show. The traitorIt’s just wrapped up in the third season. To that end, he led an eclectic group of real stars through dangerous games in remote Scottish castles.
In another nod to his legacy, Cumming will serve as the grand marshal for the 27th Tartan Day Parade held in New York City on April 5th. This is an honor to highlight Cumming’s impact on the entertainment industry and celebrate his love for both communities.
On March 27th, the actor collaborates with the Virgin Atlantic to bring his passion for travel to new heights. Cumming is now the voice behind the airline’s first original bedtime story, called “Relaxing and Relaxing with Alan Comeming.” This will access videos from the Virgin Atlantic YouTube channel to calm travelers down to relax before taking off at the Royal Box in the lounge or in-flight locations.
The new bedtime story coincides with the opening March 27th of the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), a new lounge space that addresses the health and wellness focus of California City, featuring elements that encourage guests to relax before and after flights to the UK.
I spoke with Cumming about his under-radar recommendations in both Scotland and New York, his travel habits, and his latest collaboration with the Virgin Atlantic.
This interview was compiled for clarity and space.
We are big fans The traitor Here. What was it like filming in the highlands of Scottish?
Well, that’s nice. In fact, it’s quite close to where I live in Scotland. That’s an area I really like. I have a lot of families (in this area). So for years The traitorI have this annual reunion with many families and large families.
That’s (photographed) The traitor It’s like we’re in this bubble. . . . When I fly, I think of it as this way to escape from everyone. No one can reach me. . . . and The traitor It’s a bit similar because it’s a very long time and basically you can’t do anything else. So you’re like you’re in this little work bubble. So the competitors will definitely go crazy just by being in the show or game. I will do that too. . . . I cannot sleep until I know who was murdered that night.
What is the best place to visit in the Scottish highlands?
Scotland is very beautiful. It’s nice to go to some of these places and be taken to places that you don’t normally go. I love the West Coast Islands, the Hebrides and the Hebrides on the Outer. They are magic. . . . It can sometimes be called the North Coast 500. This is 500 miles around the Rim (in North Scotland). It’s an area of Scotland and people don’t go that much.
But the great thing about Scotland is that despite it being a very small country, it takes a long time to get anywhere, due to the mountains, thanks to the hills, and due to the small roads (there are many one truck paths). So I did lots of travel shows and shot, spent my vacation, and I lived in some of it, but I’m still amazed.
We also recommend using the train. I love Royal Scots. If you can ride it, that’s Stylish. But it is definitely the most magical way to see Scotland.
What are your preflight and in-flight routines?
So this is my routine. I’m going to the lounge. I’ll check in pretty early. I’m not one of those people who will leave it to the end. If I’m going on a big trip, I want to remember that I’ll go on a really big trip adventure. And I want to prepare it. I can literally put everything in bed because everything is sorted, I’m in the lounge, I have time to relax, and I like to keep up with things.
And I always have a bloody Mary in the lounge every time I fly. That’s very important. It’s a kind of ritual. And I love it.
And I like to get on the plane and get my books, my iPad, maybe a computer. But I actually love planning on doing something on the plane and ultimately don’t do that. I’ll probably do that until the drinks and food arrive. I drink a lot of water, but I love wine. And I’m a little tired, watching the movie, then sleep fascinatingly.
I really enjoy flying on long flights. I’ve rather been thinking it’s a longer flight than a short one. It’s obviously obvious if you can go to fashionable classes and you can lie down just because I love that time to yourself. . . . I love small pods.
Where in New York are you going?
I usually go to club comedy. So, that’s the biggest thing. Like I was watching the party The traitor When last season began. We had an after party there for my big 60th birthday party. It’s like my little playground.
I’m 60 and I realized I want to dance more. I held a big dance party with Animatronic at the Edison Ballroom. There’s something really great called Mother Disco (a travel disco music residency with performances in a New York nightclub). . . . I love it. It is located in Brooklyn. And I love something like horse meat disco (four DJ Collective playing electronic music). They come every few months. And they actually go all over the world. I once went to them in Berlin.
That’s why I like big special nights. But I want to go more. . . . So, this year and next year, I’m not really going to New York that much. I currently run a theatre (there is) and I work very much in Scotland.
When I came (to New York City), I just wanted to be with my chum and it was very easy and nice to go to club come. . . . Interestingly, my own club cuts out the wings of my nightlife, but it’s not that bad.
After a night, where are your favorite places in New York?
One of my favorite places I’ve never been to in years is the Russian baths on 10th Avenue. They have a plunge pool and a steam room, and if you want, they will hit you with these sticks and eucalyptus things.
There is a small restaurant called Post. . . . One thing I miss being vegan is biscuits and gravy. . . . And they do vegan biscuits and gravy. And they have the most delicious hot sauce there. And it’s “hot Shit. ”
Another place I love is the Tompkins square bagel. . . . I always spread sun-dried tomato tofu with all my gluten-free bagels served with lettuce, tomatoes, onions and capers.
We have launched this new partnership with Virgin Atlantic. How did you become the voice behind these bedtime stories?
I’ve been a longtime passenger and a fan (of the Virgin Atlantic). When I first came to America, I came to the upper class of virgins. It was also the first time I had to turn left by plane. That was when I first started working in Hollywood. So my time in America is completely related to the Virgin Atlantic. The first book I wrote was a novel.Tommy’s Story (Harper Collins, 2002)) And I set up a chapter in the Virgin Clubhouse at Heathrow. That’s why I’m a huge fan. This (new Virgin Atlantic) Clubhouse (LAX) is only for people on an overnight flight. So, even the way lighting is changed, the moment you walk in an instant, it’s like an immersive theatre. It’s a bit similar – you’ve seen it I can’t sleep anymore? No one sings or spews blood, but the idea is that as soon as you come to the door you are going to enter a situation where you feel like you want to have a lovely snooze. I love it.
I love cocktails and mocktails. You can do Pilates, you can do dance, you can do yoga, you can do meditation. There’s something like a sound bus. It’s very good. It is called Zen Den.
What are the packaging tips for long distance flights?
roll! roll! roll! I haven’t arrived at the stuffed cube yet. You can see that it reminds me a bit of the freezer section of the supermarket. Roll, roll, roll up and crush it (in a suitcase). I think it’s a really efficient way. My mother-in-law, she’s not with us anymore, but she was a flight attendant in the 50s. She was a roller. So she’s the one who really drums it to me. So I round it all up and honor her.
Also, it’s just sitting on top of it. You know, you have to sit on it. (lol) case, Honey.
To help you fall asleep on the plane, The traitor Cast Have you read a bedtime story to you?
I love her voice and it feels a bit sweet and childlike, but sometimes she says the dirty stuff that chews the most, so I think it’ll be Gabby (Windy) this past season because I really like that combo and I’ve always loved her delivery. I think she seems very soothing and interesting too. I think it’s a great thing to laugh when you fall asleep. It makes you feel good and hopefully you have a lovely dream.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6mbesrcu3fa
Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse in LAX is currently open daily from PST from 11:30am. For more information about the clubhouse and opening hours, please see virginatlantic.com.
