Imagine such a thing: a musical about the traditional ceilidh directing Scottish critics to stay away days before opening.

That's the bewildering predicament Ceilidh, which makes its UK debut at Pitlochry Festival Theatre this week, has landed itself in. If Scottish critics want the privilege of reviewing the almost sold-out and long-promoted show, then they'll need to make their way to London or await its return to Scotland next year.

Wait, I'm confused. Pitlochry Festival Theatre is supposedly in the middle of a new renaissance, flanked by the direction of Hollywood star programmer Alan Cumming. The theatre has had its fair share of media attention placed upon it as a result, and has hardly backed away from revelling in any of it. Naturally, being backed by someone like Cumming lends itself well to such coverage. He placed first, even, in The Herald's list of most powerful arts industry shakers due to his takeover and involvement in the theatre.

Scottish theatre tells critics not to review its new Scottish musical

Why were critics told not to review new musical launching in Scotland?

Ban on critics at Pitlochry Festival Theatre show is baffling affair

As gracious as the theatre is for the fawning recognition over its revitalisation, it appears more sheepish when it comes to critical reception of its productions. The reason given for the no review request is that a small town hall like Pitlochry has technical limitations that reduce the scope of the show, and so it's not the true-to-form version that they wish to present to........

© Herald Scotland