BY MÀIRI SÌNE CAMPBELL AND CATRIONA LEXY CAMPBELL

Cèilidh was a new play commissioned by Theatre Gu Leòr, written by Mairi Sine Campbell and Catriona Lexy Campbell working alongside award-winning Irish playwright and dramaturg Lynda Radley.

Wild, outspoken and buried face down on the Isle of Harris, poet Màiri Ruadh is back from beyond the grave, with one last night to resurrect the true meaning of the cèilidh. She has fire in her belly and is determined never to be silenced again.

Cèilidh was full of live music, songs and stories. The show was subtitled and suitable for anyone with or without Gaelic, but only those ready for a cèilidh like no other!

Community and school workshops in the areas of the tour worked on engaging audiences with their own local heritage. They prepared a scene based on a story of their own, which were integrated into the professional production, in the true spirit of everyone doing a turn at the cèilidh, giving each performance a unique local flavour.

PHOTOS by Mihaela Bodlovic

REVIEWS:

Joyce McMillan's ★★★★ review in the Scotsman

Nicole Webber's ★★★★ review in the Inverness Courier

Mark Brown's review in the Sunday Herald 

Neil Cooper's review in The Herald

Glenys McIntyre's online review for The Wee Review

AUDIENCE FEEDBACK:

“Bha oidhche ann an Cairinis uamhasach fhein math. Well worth going to see even if you have no Gaelic as is subtitled” - Carinish Hall, North Uist

“Oidhche sgoinneil aig An Lanntair an-raoir!” - An Lanntair 

“Excellent performance in Plockton this evening. Thoroughly recommend going to see it when it is near you”  

“Well done to all of you” - Sabhal Mòr Ostaig

“Bha sibh math ga rireamh. Well done guys. If they are coming anywhere near you please go and support them”  - Eden Court, Inbhir Nis

“I absolutely loved this today. Thank you for creating such beauty. All the best with the tour” - Tron Theatre, Glasgow 

“Chunnaic mi ann an Glaschu sibhse, 's chord e rium gu dearbh” - Tron Theatre, Glasgow

"I loved how the themes of culture, language, self assertion and strong women were represented, and the Runrig Hearach  ‘anthem’ was enough to give me goosebumps!! Thanks again to all concerned for a memorable evening (followed by a moonlit drive over the Clisham) Have a good weekend, Tapadh leibh!” - An Lanntair

“Fabulous production, thank you for bringing it to Aberdeen!” - Lemon Tree, Aberdeen

“See anyone who thinks there is no interest in Gaelic in the north east of Scotland? Well, there is. And I have just been caught out by it. I assumed I would have no bother rocking up to the Lemon Tree tonight to get a ticket for the Gaelic play Cèilidh. It's sold out!…I made it! Agus bha e fìor mhath. Well done to the cast and team. Great to have such a well attended event in the 'deen. Cùm Gàidhlig beò” - Lemon Tree, Aberdeen

TOUR:

Credits:

Co-writers - Catriona Lexy Campbell and Màiri Sìne Campbell

Dramaturg - Lynda Radley

Director - Lewis Hetherington

Cast:

Muireann Kelly - Màiri Ruadh

Mairi Morrison - Lisa 

MJ Deans - Eilidh 

Calum MacDonald - Eddie

CREATIVE TEAM:

Designer - Frances Collier

Sound Designer/MD - Michael John McCarthy

Lighting Designer/Production Manager - John Wilkie

AV Designer - Lewis den Hertog

Assistant Sound Designer - Calum Paterson

Lighting Technician - Malcolm Rogan

BSL Sign Language Interpreter - Iain Hodgetts

Movement Director - Emma Claire Brightly

Wardrobe Assistant - Cristina Butt

Vocal Coach - Michael Hill

Production team: 

Company Co-ordinator - Seona McClintock

Creative Learning Manager - Catriona Lexy Campbell

Press & Marketing Manager - Niall Walker

Production Photography - Mihaela Bodlovic

Company Stage Manager - Katharina Siebert

Technical Stage Manager - Craig McNeill

SMO Student Placement (Gàidhlig) - Alice Watson

SUPPORTED BY:

Bòrd na Gàidhlig
Creative Scotland
Gaelic Books Council
National Theatre of Scotland
Scottish Government