Edinburgh Tradfest: Deiseil: Dancing In Time

“It is the most joyful show I have seen (so far) ...... tells an important story with the lightest of touches and doesn’t put a foot wrong” – The Scotsman

Deiseil: Dancing in Time is a powerful exploration of how stepdance, Scotland’s percussive dance, was lost... and how its revival became woven into a lifelong friendship. Experience a compelling journey across centuries of tradition told through fiddle, feet, Gaelic song and story, in an immersive performance which which draws you in to the heart of our heritage.

Deiseil (pronounced jay-shal) means “ready” in Scottish Gaelic. So be ready for a mesmerising reflection on how issues of culture, identity and connection still resonate through society today. This is groundbreaking new work from award-winning director Gerry Mulgrew (six Fringe Firsts), dancer Alison Carlyle and musician Amy Geddes.

The show is a collage of live music, dance, song, spoken word and recorded material. Deiseil was one of the absolute highlights of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in 2025 so we are delighted to be able to present this show at Edinburgh Tradfest.

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If you have access requirements, please contact our Sales and Welcome Team on boxoffice@traverse.co.uk or 0131 228 1404 so we can arrange reserved seating for you and discuss how else we can best support your visit.