Monday 21 - Friday 25 April
not for glory is a restless, relentless, rebellious unravelling of traditional dance and music. It is not a radical Highland Dance show, not a reinvented Irish dance display and not an experimental piping competition. It’s bodies, bagpipes and brutality. It’s kilts, queerness and ceremonial violence. It’s back beats, high cuts, striking in, a battering, flinging skirl.
not for glory resuscitates tradition with respect and resilience, dissects heritage and dances solidarity. It’s a dance-theatre gig balancing virtuosity with vulnerability, pride with shame. Three performers reclaim the traditions they grew up in, not for glory – but for what?
The work will be previewed at Ullapool Village Hall on Wednesday 16th April, before coming to Dance Base for a week-long residency culminating in another preview performance on Sunday 27th April at 6:30pm (as part of Pomegranates Festival, run by the Traditional Dance Forum Scotland). Pre-show session artists include Marit Fält and Naomi Priestnall, followed by a post-show queer ceilidh with Gay Gordon (Jay Yule).
There will be an open class from 10-12 on Tuesday 22nd April for movers of all experience welcome. The class will be led by Jack Anderson and Charlotte Mclean, and will include themes of the new production, including Highland and Irish dance techniques as well as elements of improvisation. Malin Lewis will accompany the class with live music. Bagpipes may be used and if so, the studio will be loud. Earplugs will be provided.
Performance as part of Pomegranates Festival
About Jack
Jack Anderson began Irish dancing professionally in 2008, touring with Rhythm of the Dance and Celtic Legends. Latterly he worked with Breandán de Gallaí in Ériu Dance Company, which awakened a new curiosity about different ways of moving, and eventually he went on to train at Rambert School of Ballet and Contemporary Dance.
About Charlotte
Charlotte Mclean studied at London Contemporary Dance School and now works internationally as a performer, choreographer and interdisciplinary creative. Her work has been commissioned by The Place London and Tojo Theater Bern and has been presented at the V&A London, Tramway Glasgow, Black Box Teater Oslo and Alte Münze Berlin amongst others. She was recently named ‘Dance Fellow of 2025’ from The Arts Foundation.
About Malin
Malin Lewis is a bagpiper, fiddler, instrument maker and award winning composer. One of Scotland’s most exciting innovators, Malin melds Scottish west coast tradition with a newly invented, self-made bagpipe. Hair tingling, philosophical and dance inducing melodies inspired by European folk traditions, humans, queerness and the universe.