not for glory

not for glory is a restless, relentless unravelling of traditional dance and music. Jack Anderson and Charlotte Mclean, in collaboration with composer Malin Lewis, bring together Highland dance, Irish dance and live piping in a dance-theatre gig that is as thrillingly physical as it is emotionally charged.

The performers revisit the traditions they grew up in – and the result is virtuosic, visceral and uncompromising. They dissect their heritage while dancing solidarity, balancing pride with shame and vulnerability with breathtaking skill. It’s bodies, bagpipes and brutality. It’s kilts, queerness and ceremonial violence. Back beats collide with high cuts, striking in to a battering, flinging skirl.

Rebellious, funny and fiercely alive, not for glory makes a powerful case for reclaiming what we inherit on our own terms. Whether you know your reels from your jigs or have never been within ten feet of a set of pipes, this is a show that will pull you onto the dance floor and not let go.

Jack Anderson (he/him)

Jack began Irish dancing professionally in 2008, touring with Rhythm of the Dance and Celtic Legends before working with Breandán de Gallaí in Ériu Dance Company. This sparked a curiosity about new ways of moving, leading him to train at Rambert School of Ballet and Contemporary Dance. After more than a decade away, he returned to Irish dance through the development of not for glory. As a performer he has worked with Michael Clark, Barrowland Ballet, Farah Saleh and others, and maintains ongoing collaborations with Éowyn Emerald & Dancers and Shotput. He lives and works in Glasgow.

Emma Jones (she/her)

Emma is a Lighting Designer based in Scotland, working across the UK and abroad. Emma had lit shows for numerous companies including Scottish Opera, Charlotte Mclean and Collaborators, Solene Weinachter Dance, Perth Theatre, Birmingham Royal Ballet, The Tron Glasgow, National Dance Company Wales, Dundee Rep Theatre, Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, Derby Theatre, Scottish Dance Theatre, Stellar Quines, National Theatre of Scotland, The Royal Lyceum Edinburgh, Catherine Wheels Theatre Company and The Citizens Theatre Glasgow.   

Malin Lewis (they/them)

Malin Lewis is a bagpiper, fiddler, instrument maker and award-winning composer, and one of Scotland's most exciting musical innovators. They meld Scottish west coast tradition with a newly invented, self-made bagpipe, creating melodies inspired by European folk traditions, queerness and the universe. Their debut album Halocline was released on Hudson Records in May 2024. Through their work, Malin explores the space between the gender binary — a space with its own colourful and unique culture.

Cleo Rose McCabe (she/her)

Cleo is a costume designer, supervisor and maker based in Edinburgh. She has 14 years’ experience working in costume departments across Scotland, including Royal Lyceum Edinburgh, Dundee Rep Theatre, Scottish Dance Theatre and the Traverse Theatre. Her design credits include: These Mechanisms (Robbie Synge & Christine Thynne) The Chosen Haram (Sadiq Ali, Edinburgh Festival Fringe, 2022, & International Tour, 2023); Ode to Joy (Stories Untold Productions, Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2023); Remedy for Memory (Stories Untold Productions, 2022). 

Helen McIntosh (she/her)

Helen is a creative producer specialising in dance, movement and choreographic practice, based in Edinburgh. Working independently since 2019, she collaborates with artists including Charlotte Mclean, Farah Saleh, Rob Heaslip and Solene Weinachter. Previous organisational credits include Imaginate, Dance Base, Scottish Dance Theatre, Stellar Quines, Edinburgh International Film Festival and Traverse Theatre.

Charlotte Mclean (she/her)

Charlotte Mclean studied at London Contemporary Dance School and works internationally as a performer, choreographer and interdisciplinary creative. Named Dance Fellow of 2025 by The Arts Foundation, her work has been commissioned by The Place London and Tojo Theater Bern and presented at the V&A, Tramway Glasgow and Alte Münze Berlin among others. Her practice draws from her childhood in Scottish Highland Dance and is rooted in community values and intersectional feminism. She co-founded movement bands badbodychaoscode and Die Berner Band, and also performs for Barrowland Ballet and Eva Recacha Productions.

Please note: this event uses unreserved seating. A mix of chairs, bench seating and cushions will be available. If you have access requirements and would like to discuss your needs in advance of your visit, please contact us on [email protected] or 020 7485 2206.

Doors open 7pm, performance starts 7.30pm. Running time 75 mins (plus post show activity tbc).

Warning: Contains flashing lights and haze.

Presented by Dance Umbrella, EFDSS and The Place.

Commissioned by The Place.

Co-commissioned by Creative Scotland, The Work Room, Dance Base, Traditional Dance Forum Scotland, Traditional Arts and Culture, Ullapool Village Hall.

This ticket price includes a 50p building levy.