Ceilidh the Musical Review

By Campbell Goldston

“Find yourself a hand to hold” at the new musical, “Ceilidh” [KAY-lee], premiering in North America at the M&T Bank Exchange at France-Merrick Performing Arts Center at the University of Maryland, Baltimore. Originally premiering in Glasgow, Scotland, in 2024, the musical traveled across the Atlantic and found itself in the Hippodrome Theatre from Sep. 6 to Oct. 12. 

Directed and choreographed by Tony-winner Sam Pinkleton, and produced by Tony-winner Alan Cumming, “Ceilidh” tells a story “about family, legacy, [and] the enduring power of stories…”A ceilidh is “a traditional Scottish social gathering involving dancing, music, and storytelling.” The musical features these elements while telling the story of a family that passed down ceilidh calling. 

“Ceilidh” centers on narrator Ramsay MacLavaney, his parents, and their experiences with ceilidhs. The show opens by sharing the history of traditional ceilidh in general, before discussing the MacLavaneys’ involvement in ceilidh and who they share this tradition with.

While a ceilidh is a traditional practice, this musical is quite untraditional, taking place in a unique theatre setup and imitating a ceilidh itself. In the theatre, the audience is seated around three sides of the stage, creating an intimate atmosphere that allows for audience participation. 

With scenic design by Rachel Hauck, the minimal set perfectly complemented the tone of the show, with a small stage for band members and fairy lights that decorated the space. This simplicity gave the Hippodrome a cozy feel, allowing the audience to focus on the storytelling.  

The lighting design by Isabella Byrd brought the musical to life by reflecting the characters' journeys. When Ramsay tells the story of his parents’ life together, the lighting starts as white before shifting to indigo, informing the audience of a change from the present day to a flashback. During moments where lighting reflected the setting, a layer of texture was added to the show. 

“Ceilidh” is interactive, with dance numbers where audience members are encouraged to join in. The cast teaches traditional ceilidh dances to participating audience members, before everyone performs them together with live music and a caller. This brings a particular liveliness and excitement to the musical, as it is uncommon for audience members to get the chance to participate in the show they are watching. 

The music of this show was another highlight. A live band played Scottish folk music throughout the show, in addition to actors playing instruments, so there was no shortage of lively music. One of the scenes featured a small parade for the marriage of two characters. With actors entering the stage playing a snare drum and bagpipes, the music set the joyous tone of the scene and allowed audience members to further immerse themselves in the delightful music. A great musical connects music to life in a captivating way, and “Ceilidh” does just that. 

Adding to “Ceilidh’s” interactivity, at the end of the first act, scotch and apple juice are served to the crowd, and everyone joins in on a toast. Once intermission begins, haggis (a traditional Scottish dish with oatmeal, onion, and sheep liver) is served. 

The show ends with both the cast and audience members as one on stage, standing in a circle and singing “Auld Lang Syne.” The cast takes their bows amongst audience members, fostering a communal energy to close the show.

“Ceilidh” is a musical unlike any other currently playing. Its uniqueness gives viewers an unforgettable experience, centering on universal themes of love, family, and acceptance. Through powerful storytelling and spectacular music, “Ceilidh” invites audience members to embrace the joy of Scottish culture and become members of the cast themselves.