Ceilidh: This joyful new musical gives a Scottish tradition a queer makeover – review

If you’ve not spent much time in Scotland, there’s a fair chance you’ve never been to a ceilidh before – if you’re unfamiliar with the word, the show’s marketing material helpfully provides ‘kay-lee’ as a phonetic spelling. While it’s billed as a theatrical show, much of Ceilidh unfolds in the same way a traditional ceilidh dance would: there is a live band, they play upbeat folky music, and there is a ‘caller’ – who initially teaches us the moves, and then calls them out as the dance is taking place.

It is, as you may have gathered, quite an interactive piece of theatre: there are multiple dances throughout the evening, and audience members are invited to partake in as many or as few as they desire. We joined for most of the dances, and as far as we could tell, a majority of attendees took part in at least some of the dances. If you just want to sit and watch the show, that’s absolutely fine too; and if you’d like to take part in a smaller way, there’s a singalong, there are shots of whisky to be toasted, and there is even (free!) haggis available during the interval. For the full Scottish experience, the bar also sells cans of Irn Bru, which is a nice touch.

At the centre of the show is the story of Ramsay, the current caller in a family of ceilidh callers, who is still discovering his queer identity, finding his place within the family’s tradition. There’s a rather cute and wholesome scene where we see Ramsay try to figure out the correct way to hold his partner, for a dance traditionally performed by a man and a woman. Ramsay is played by Scott Gilmour, who has written the show alongside Claire McKenzie; on directing duties we have Tony-winner Sam Pinkleton (currently directing Oh, Mary! on the West End and Broadway) and the set design is by another Tony winner, Rachel Hauck.

It’s an impressive array of creative talent and the experience they have made is a joy to be a part of – with the caveat that, in order to get the most out of Ceilidh, you really do need to take part in the show. While sitting the dances out is an option, we can’t imagine it’s half as much fun as being involved. We should note that nothing is technically demanding – all the moves are straightforward, each dance is taught before it begins, and we are reminded of the moves throughout. If you’ve never tried a ceilidh before, this show might just be the perfect introduction. It’s currently playing at Shoreditch Town Hall in London, and will tour the UK this winter.

GAY TIMES gives Ceilidh - 4/5

More information can be found here.