The UK premiere of CEILIDH, the new musical from Scottish writing duo Scott Gilmour and Claire McKenzie, will open at Pitlochry Festival Theatre this October before a London residency at Shoreditch Town Hall and an extensive UK tour through 2026 and 2027.
Directed and choreographed by Tony Award winner Sam Pinkleton, the production arrives in the UK following a critically acclaimed North American season. Co-produced by Alan Cumming, the musical will play at Pitlochry Festival Theatre from 7 to 17 October before transferring to Shoreditch Town Hall for a four-week run and then embarking on a nationwide tour.
Described as an immersive celebration of one of Scotland’s best-loved traditions, CEILIDH invites audiences into an evening of music, storytelling and dancing. Led by a lively caller, the musical unfolds around a family story exploring love, legacy and the importance of a very special gathering.
Leading the cast are Scott Gilmour as Ramsay, Kyle Gardiner as Alternate Ramsay, David Rankine as Leo, Kirsty Findlay as Euna, George Drennan as Older Leo, Annie Grace as Older Euna/Lady Buchanan/Moira, Star Penders as Granny Maclavaney/Maria, Rori Hawthorn as Rowan, Jerome Lincoln as Lucas and Laura Lovemore as Yvonne.
The company also includes Charlie West, Harry Ward, Leo Shak, Elinor Peregrin, Helen Logan and Robin MacKenzie.
Alan Cumming, Artistic Director of Pitlochry Festival Theatre said, “It’s only fitting that a show so beautifully entertaining and Scottish to its very core should start its journey here in Pitlochry, before it reels its way down to Shoreditch Town Hall and across the rest of the UK. It is a gorgeous, heartfelt story wrapped up in an unadulterated night of joy, dancing, music and pure Highland magic!”
Sam Pinkleton said, “There is absolutely nothing like CEILIDH. Creating this extraordinary musical has been a riot to bring to life. I’m overjoyed to continue living inside the rambunctious, life-affirming, and totally original theatrical world Scott and Claire have created, and let this joyful celebration loose on audiences at beautiful Shoreditch Town Hall and across the UK.”
Featuring an original book, music and lyrics by Gilmour and McKenzie, CEILIDH combines original songs with traditional tunes in an experience designed to bring audiences together, whether they join the dancing or watch from the sidelines.
Scott Gilmour and Claire McKenzie said, “At its heart, a ceilidh is about gathering together, and leaving the world outside behind, to have a dance. Capturing one of Scotland’s proudest traditions, and watching its brilliant, chaotic energy play out on stage, has been a privilege to create with this extraordinary team. To watch this story make its way from Glasgow to North America, Pitlochry to Shoreditch, and now out across the UK, is a total thrill. We cannot wait for folk to step into CEILIDH and join in the dance!”
The production features set design by Rachel Hauck, costume design by Sarah Laux, lighting design by Isabella Byrd, sound design by Danny Erdberg and Ursula Kwong-Brown, orchestrations by Claire McKenzie and musical supervision by Kris Kukul.
Listings and ticket information can be found here.
