The hit Scottish musical sensation CEILIDH will arrive in London this autumn, playing Shoreditch Town Hall from 22 October to 13 November 2026 before embarking on a UK tour.
Presented by Grove Entertainment, Barbara Whitman, Trafalgar Theatre Productions and Eilene Davidson Productions, the new musical features a book, music and lyrics by acclaimed Scottish writing duo Scott Gilmour and Claire McKenzie, with direction and choreography by Tony Award-winning director Sam Pinkleton.
The production first opens at Pitlochry Town Hall as part of Alan Cumming’s inaugural season as Artistic Director of Pitlochry Festival Theatre before making its London debut and touring to High Wycombe, Eastbourne, Fareham, Guildford and Bradford, with further dates to be announced.
Described as a celebration of one of Scotland’s oldest and most cherished traditions, CEILIDH invites audiences into a gathering of songs, stories and dances guided by a lively caller. As the evening unfolds, a moving family story of love, legacy and belonging emerges at the heart of the festivities.
Alan Cumming 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!”
Pinkleton, whose productions include Oh! Mary and the current Broadway revival of The Rocky Horror Show, 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.”
Writers Scott Gilmour and Claire McKenzie added, “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!”
Formed in 2012 under the banner of Noisemaker, Gilmour and McKenzie have created more than 20 new works together and are this year’s recipients of the prestigious Jonathan Larson Grant for Musical Theatre Writing.
Whether audiences choose to dance along or simply watch from the sidelines, CEILIDH promises an immersive celebration of Scottish culture, storytelling and community.
Listings and ticket information can be found here.
