This Is Ceilidh - London Wonderground
Impossible to sit still! London is lucky to have This Is Ceilidh in town. Definitely not to be missed!
★★★★★
The Scottish highlands have descended under the wooden tent at the London Wonderground. Direct from the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, This Is Ceilidh is lighting up London for ten unforgettable nights of fun, music, song, and dancing. Don’t expect to be sitting down! From the moment the bagpipers welcome you inside to the last drum beat, you’ll be up on your toes dancing with the best (and worst) of them!
For those of us who are less familiar with Gaelic, a ceilidh (pronounced kay-lee) is a traditional Celtic gathering with music, songs, and dance—in short, a wildy fun party! But This Is Ceilidh takes that tradition and injects it with a mixture of a rock concert rave and with the ridiculous slapstick comedy of a Renaissance festival. In short, this is what happens when old meets new—a fantastic vaudeville-like experience that will make it one of the most memorable nights this summer.
The start of the ceilidh had a misty mysterious quality. The audience hesitantly ringed around the central dance floor unsure of what to expect. But it was pointless to have any inhibitions that night as kilted men and bonnie girls coerced with smiles anyone and everyone to the dance floor. Prior to the main event they taught the steps for the first dance. If you think you’ll be shy you needn’t worry as there was plenty of liquid courage for sale at the bar!
The lights went out suddenly and there was a thrill that electrified the air. Hosts Jackie Morrison and Gary Cross began to define what a ceilidh is. They started by naming quintessential Scottish stereotypes, and a few not so typical ones. With a bang the lights went on and a full Scottish band started to play. Pipes, fiddles, and the bodhran drum along with an accordion and guitar had an immediate affect—it is impossible to stay still!
Once the first set was done, a story began. Upon entering the tent everyone received a colored wristband. The color dictates which “clan” you were to be a part of during this tale. Of course there was a Romeo-Juliet style romance, but members of the audience were selected to play the roles of the “star-crossed” lovers. Just remember, the more you hide the more likely they are to pick you out! From there the dance battles begins between the “clans.”
A completely unique delight came from Edinburgh’s own Werd (SOS)/Drew Devine. A fresh hip-hop artist and rapper extraordinaire, his funky style broke up the traditional jigs in a pleasing and unexpected way. I have never experienced rap like his before, and as someone who knows absolutely nothing about this genre of music, I found his style very approachable and highly enjoyable! The bodhran drum and Jackie Morrison’s angelic singing accompanied Werd’s rapping, created a sound that was vibrate and new.
If there were any drawbacks to this immersive show, it would be this: don’t come alone! Bring friends, bring lovers, or make new friends. A word of advice though—wear dancing shoes! So ladies, beware of heels, bulky bags, and slip-on flats. And come prepared to have a night unlike any other!
This Is Ceilidh will be at the London Wonderground from August 18th – the 27th. Click here for more information and tickets.
For those of us who are less familiar with Gaelic, a ceilidh (pronounced kay-lee) is a traditional Celtic gathering with music, songs, and dance—in short, a wildy fun party! But This Is Ceilidh takes that tradition and injects it with a mixture of a rock concert rave and with the ridiculous slapstick comedy of a Renaissance festival. In short, this is what happens when old meets new—a fantastic vaudeville-like experience that will make it one of the most memorable nights this summer.
The start of the ceilidh had a misty mysterious quality. The audience hesitantly ringed around the central dance floor unsure of what to expect. But it was pointless to have any inhibitions that night as kilted men and bonnie girls coerced with smiles anyone and everyone to the dance floor. Prior to the main event they taught the steps for the first dance. If you think you’ll be shy you needn’t worry as there was plenty of liquid courage for sale at the bar!
The lights went out suddenly and there was a thrill that electrified the air. Hosts Jackie Morrison and Gary Cross began to define what a ceilidh is. They started by naming quintessential Scottish stereotypes, and a few not so typical ones. With a bang the lights went on and a full Scottish band started to play. Pipes, fiddles, and the bodhran drum along with an accordion and guitar had an immediate affect—it is impossible to stay still!
Once the first set was done, a story began. Upon entering the tent everyone received a colored wristband. The color dictates which “clan” you were to be a part of during this tale. Of course there was a Romeo-Juliet style romance, but members of the audience were selected to play the roles of the “star-crossed” lovers. Just remember, the more you hide the more likely they are to pick you out! From there the dance battles begins between the “clans.”
A completely unique delight came from Edinburgh’s own Werd (SOS)/Drew Devine. A fresh hip-hop artist and rapper extraordinaire, his funky style broke up the traditional jigs in a pleasing and unexpected way. I have never experienced rap like his before, and as someone who knows absolutely nothing about this genre of music, I found his style very approachable and highly enjoyable! The bodhran drum and Jackie Morrison’s angelic singing accompanied Werd’s rapping, created a sound that was vibrate and new.
If there were any drawbacks to this immersive show, it would be this: don’t come alone! Bring friends, bring lovers, or make new friends. A word of advice though—wear dancing shoes! So ladies, beware of heels, bulky bags, and slip-on flats. And come prepared to have a night unlike any other!
This Is Ceilidh will be at the London Wonderground from August 18th – the 27th. Click here for more information and tickets.