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.
“A tartan chaos of surreal vignettes, a punk-flavoured queer love letter to the Celtic arts”
Post-show ceilidh
Keep dancing after the show!
The evening doesn’t have to start and end when not for glory does. Arrive from 7pm for live music and stay with us after the performance for a post-show ceilidh, with two nights of lively dancing and queer joy.
Tuesday 13 October – Queer Ceilidh with Queer Folk
Join Queer Folk for a welcoming night of queer ceilidh dancing, bringing people together through folk music, movement and a shared love of a good dance. Featuring musicians Bailey and Keely on fiddle and melodeon, with ceilidh calling by Sophie.
Wednesday 14 October – Gay Gordon
Drag king and ceilidh caller Gay Gordon takes over with a riotous mix of traditional ceilidh music by JiaYi Chong and Hugo Dodsworth, and a host of pop bangers. Expect big dance moves, bold energy and plenty of queer chaos.
No previous ceilidh experience is needed – just stick around after the show and join in. Free for same performance ticket holders.
Watch trailer
“A wealth of wit, stirring music and nifty footwork”
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Jack Anderson
Dancer
Credit Brian Hartley
Jack Anderson (he/him)
Dancer
Glasgow (Scotland)
Jack 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. In 2024, after more than a decade away from it, he began Irish dancing again – through the development of not for glory as well as residencies with Dance Ireland, Dance Limerick, Galway Dance and Jean Butler and Colin Dunne.
As a performer, Jack has ongoing collaborations with Éowyn Emerald & Dancers and Shotput, and has worked for others including Farah Saleh, Barrowland Ballet, Michael Clark and Rob Heaslip. He is experienced in inclusive practice and dances with lots of people through roles as teacher or facilitator for Scottish Ballet, Paragon, Dance Base and others.
He lives and works in Glasgow.
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Charlotte Mclean
Performer & Choreographer
Credit Malin Lewis
Charlotte Mclean (she/her)
Performer & Choreographer
Glasgow (Scotland)
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’ by The Arts Foundation.
Charlotte’s practice draws from tradition having competed in Scottish Highland Dance throughout her childhood. Her artistic ethos is rooted in community values, intersectional feminism and rest as a political act. Her practice also amalgamates self-celebration, she co-founded two movement bands: ‘badbodychaoscode’ and ‘Die Berner Band’. Both bands champion autonomy through the framework of collective creativity.
Charlotte also performs for independent companies including Barrowland Ballet and Eva Recacha Productions. She teaches at London Contemporary Dance School, Barbara Bortoli Ballet Schule and has worked as associate centre assistant at the Royal Ballet School.
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Malin Lewis
Musician & Composer
Credit Martin Shields
Malin Lewis (they/them)
Musician & Composer
Glasgow (Scotland)
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.
Malin’s unique sound is born from the deep connection that comes with making and composing for their own instrument. Having performed across the UK, Europe and Canada, Malin released their celebrated debut album Halocline in May 2024 on Hudson Records. A Halocline is a visible layer that lies between saltwater and freshwater. Appearing like a hazy cloud under the surface; it floats between the two worlds and provides an environment which is home to a unique microbial ecosystem. Through their work, Malin explores the space between the gender binary; a space with its own colourful and unique culture.
“An unrelenting, spectacular hour of dance and performance, presented with complete commitment and passion”
Gallery
Credit Brian Hartley
Presented by Dance Umbrella, English Folk Dance and Song Society and The Place
Cast & Creative +
- Jack Anderson
Concept, Deviser & Performer - Emma Jones
Lighting Designer & Production Manager - Nelly Kelly
Access Consultant - Malin Lewis
Composer, Deviser & Performer - Cloe Rose McCabe
Costumer Designer - Helen McIntosh
Creative Producer - Charlotte Mclean
Concept, Deviser & Performer - Joy Parkinson
PR Associate - Serden Salih
Marketing Associate
Credits +
Commissioned by The Place
Supported by Creative Scotland, The Work Room, Dance Base, Traditional Dance Forum Scotland, Ullapool Village Hall
Presentation at Dance Umbrella Festival supported by Cockayne Grants for the Arts, a Donor Advised Fund, held at The Prism Charitable Trust
Venue & Access +
Venue
Cecil Sharp House
2 Regent’s Park Rd,
London NW1 7AY
Access information
Seating
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 Cecil Sharp House on [email protected] or 020 7485 2206.
Building Access
Cecil Sharp House has step-free access to all floors via a lift. The lift can be accessed from the car park on the Gloucester Avenue gate side of the building.
Chilled Venue
Cecil Sharp House is a ‘chilled venue’. They welcome people who can’t always sit still and in silence throughout a performance. They ask that everyone is respectful and kind to other audience members and to the artists, remembering that not all disabilities are visible.
Doors typically open 30 minutes before the start of performances which allows time for people to get into and settled in our performance spaces.
For full access information, click here
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