‘Deiseil: Dancing in time’
Celtic Connections, The National Piping Centre, Glasgow, 23/1/2026
‘Deiseil: Dancing in time’
Not since ‘The Cheviot, the Stag and the Black, Black Oil’ have I been so emotionally impacted by such powerful, enigmatic and cultural theatre.
An intimate performance held in the round with the audience as a physical part of the show, ‘Dieseil: Dancing in time’ delivers a powerful message through music, dancing and the Gaelic language interwoven across centuries. The history of an indigenous art form, step dancing, lost in Scotland, then rediscovered again, hidden in Cape Breton, Canada.
Directed by Gerry Mulgrew of Communicado theatre company fame, Alison Carlyle and Amy Geddes bring the deeply culturally important story of the loss of step dancing to vivid life. Why was it lost and how other forms of Scottish dancing were shaped to fit an agenda which wanted the culture contained and kept in order. A story of how music and dancing are like a language, a living organism which continues to evolve, and how when separated by centuries and geography, old traditions were preserved in one place, and forgotten in another. Like a language of the human soul, step dancing with its percussive compelling beats, along with the driving force of the fiddle music, Amy and Alison intuitively reach into your soul, touch your very heart and awaken a desire to take part and know more.
‘Deiseil: Dancing in time’ is brilliantly directed by Gerry Mulgrew, coaxing the very best from co-founders of ‘Scottish Step-Dancing Company’s’ Amy Geddes (fiddle) and Alison Carlyle (step dance). Talented producer Ruby Zajac makes an appearance in the second half of the show when Alison and Amy do a question and answer forum during which the audience asked many interesting and thought provoking questions ending up with many audience members joyfully taking to the specially built step dancing stage floor (by master craftsman Finn Loening) to learn some steps and take part, while Amy and guest piper and singer Allan MacDonald played.
The show uses recordings of tradition bearers such as the great Kate MacDonald from South Uist talking as a soundscape along with stunning lighting effects, provided by the highly skilled Rufus Elliot, a sound and lighting technician from Skye. Enigmatic recordings with peurt-a bheul mouth music evocatively set the stage for the story to unfold.
I particularly noticed the audience who were spellbound and visibly emotionally affected. Some declared their previous ignorance of this genre, and determination to discover for themselves their history and desire to learn step dance themselves. This superb show generated a cultural awakening. Audience members were bouncing with enthusiasm afterwards and many sat chatting, exchanging lively opinions with each other, long after the show had finished. A palpable desire to learn more was felt. Watch out for step dance classes near you!
This show, which premiered at Edinburgh Fringe Festival to critically acclaimed success, will be touring Scotland in 2026 and my advice is not to miss it.