Review of ‘Ceilidh’: “Unconventional Scottish musical isn’t that brave, but it teems with heart”

As with its pronunciation, be prepared for something a little unusual and unexpected. By all means, this is an atypical musical. An imperfect one, as well. But the great thing about it (or perhaps one of the many) is that it doesn’t need to be flawless. A simple story and an accessible Gaelic score result in a highly distinctive piece. It might not be a masterwork (it isn’t). But what it lacks in genius it makes up for with freshness, authenticity, and a refreshing sense of community.

A young man named Ramsay walks onto the Shoreditch Town Hall’s so-far-deserted dance floor, welcoming audiences to this Scottish social gathering. For some, it might be a completely new experience (it definitely was for me). But fear not, even if you were born with flat feet (no comment); even if this is your first time, it will be the time of your life. Because there’s genuinely no other way to describe this production than as a bundle of joy — and a lot of fun.

An uncomplicated yet moving plot connects all the audience participation segments. Ramsay takes us on a journey through his father’s life, depicting how this tradition shaped its most important moments: from the fond memories of his upbringing to meeting his soul mate and eventually passing the torch to his only son.

The piece unashamedly pulls at the heartstrings, but it’s deft enough to pull it through. The narrative might be sketchy and formulaic. However, this may be one of those rare occasions when that plainness plays to the show’s advantage. The characters are generic, but also universal. And except for the Older Man, who is pivotal for pathos but surprisingly underwritten, they all resonate and leave an imprint.

Scott Gilmour’s songs (also the man behind the book and in front of the cast) brim with Celtic-infused tunefulness. Nonetheless, there’s room for improvement. They are enjoyable and evocative, but their effort to capture the genre’s spirit outdoes their memorability, which is barely present. In the end, none of the melodies is captivating enough to stay with us after it’s been played. And although that isn’t a major problem for a production whose main intention is to get viewers up on their feet, it’s a requirement to cement the score’s legacy.

The entire company deserves the highest praise. Their remarkable singing is on par with their rapturous stamina, convincing acting, and excellent multi-instrumental skills. Besides Gilmour, lead troupe members Kirsty Findlay and David Rankine earn the highest mention for their compelling chemistry and overall magnetism as darlings Euna and Led.

You will see everyone making a song and dance about everything in this show. And chances are you will be delighted to be part of it. Lively, endearing, and somewhat different, Ceilidh is a wondrous celebration of folklore and, above all, art’s unparalleled ability to bring people together. Ultimately, it tears the tartan — and it’s kilt-essentially Scottish.

Celidh plays at London’s Shoreditch Town Hall until 13 November. Tickets are available on the following link.

By Guillermo Nazara