⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Five Stars)
Ceilidh has a lot going for it that made it a must-see for this reviewer: a Tony Award-winning director in Sam Pinkleton, the endorsement of being part of Alan Cumming’s inaugural season as artistic director of Pitlochry Festival Theatre, an original story, and an immersive audience participation element to name just a few. I am pleased, then, to report that Ceilidh met and exceeded any expectation I had as I entered the fairylight-strewn Shoreditch Town Hall, where this new musical is playing prior to a UK tour. Over the course of an evening, as any great piece of theatre aspires to, a room full of strangers became a community, brought together by a story, music and dance.
Written by Scott Gilmour and Claire McKenzie, Ceilidh begins by introducing the history and cultural significance of this Scottish tradition, before exploring in more depth the role it has played in one family’s story, expertly balancing sentimentality and humour. Our caller for the evening, Ramsay (excellently portrayed by Kyle Gardiner at the performance I attended) continues the legacy of his father Leo (David Rankine) in leading the dances. Throughout the show, the audience are invited (but not forced) to join the sixteen-strong cast of actor-musicians on the central dancefloor and are taught the steps to join in with the traditional ceilidh dances.
To reassure those (such as myself) who have never attended a ceilidh before, the instructions are accessible, cast members are strategically placed throughout the dancefloor to offer guidance, and the emphasis is on joining together in joyful dancing, rather than on executing precise choreography: toes were trodden on and arms bumped, but there was not a single person on that dancefloor without a smile on their face. Between these dances, we’re told a story full of humour and heart, with more than a sprinkling of queer joy. The immersive aspect of Ceilidh is not just confined to group dance, though. In the interval, each audience member is offered a dram of whisky (or apple juice) and haggis in a thoughtful touch. Some audience members might even find themselves donning hair nets and aprons to work at a Glasgow chippy, while others become bridesmaids at a wedding, as Pinkleton’s playful direction takes great pleasure in welcoming its audience into the story.
Joyous and heartwarming, Ceilidh provides a unique theatrical experience. The show brings together audience members spanning generations and familiarity levels with the Scottish tradition in a compelling production that brilliantly weaves together a narrative with group dance.
Ceilidh runs at Shoreditch Town Hall until 13th November 2026 ahead of a UK tour.
Photos by Luke Dyson