Celtic The Musical at Pavilion Theatre Glasgow Review
DISCLOSURE – TICKETS TO SEE THE SHOW WERE GIFTED TO THE REVIEWER AND GUEST FOR THE PURPOSES OF WRITING THE REVIEW
Reviewed by Deb Mackenzie
It’s very appropriate that Celtic The Musical opened its doors at The Pavilion Theatre in Glasgow; as this is the birthplace of Celtic FC.
Brother Walfrid was behind establishing Celtic Football Club in a meeting at St Mary’s Church on 6 November 1887. It was to be a club for the people to help against poverty and hunger in the East End of Glasgow. At Walfrid’s suggestion the name Celtic, pronounced Seltik, was intended to bring together Irish and Scottish roots. I found this particularly interesting that one of the main Scottish Football clubs was founded to give those in need help.
Celtic the Musical has a lovely storyline where the Hoops-mad Quinn family in celebrating the 13th Scottish League and Cup double and the 8th Scottish treble as well as they reminisce their family history of being fans of Celtic. The show captures the highs and lows of Celtic’s past and present achievements in a humorous and entertaining manner in which everyone can relate to, even non-football fans like myself.
The Quinn family is played by Julie Duncanson as Mary and her husband Tommy by James Rottger. This is James’ fourth time in this role and his strangely odd friend Sammy Brennan is Keith Warwich who was annoyingly lovable. We all have a friend like this!
The two grown children, Paddy and Rosie Quinn, who are also new comers to the show are Stephen McCole and Elysia Welch. Rosie Quinn is enrolled at university studying football, who at every opportunity is rubbing it in her brother’s Paddy face that she knows more than him, yet he does go on to surprise her.
Set in a pub with a huge screen on the back wall, much like our modern day pub with the huge telly where fans congregate to watch, cheer the game on with other fans. A live band is also on stage and everyone takes part in singing the supporters’ songs. These songs include Hail Hail, Over and Over, You’ll Never Walk Alone and Hampden in the Sun; these were all sung by the audience as they clapped and cheered with the Quinn family at peak times. As well as booing rivals as true supporters of Celtic.
I have never followed a football team, and likely never will; but what I really loved about this was the history of Celtic, the camaraderie and how it brings those who love their team together as a family. It also started as something for the greater good, to help those less fortunate and in many cases to give families a meal in hard times; every year Celtic FC continue to raise funds for different charities. Hopefully, Celtic will continue to raise funds or to use some of the money they bring in from matches to reach out to their local community, especially children who often cannot see the trees for the woods due to peer pressure and family circumstances.
A family show that is educational, funny and gives you a feeling of belonging.
Rating: 4.5/5
Ticket Price: £17 – £46 (transaction fee of up to £3.95 may apply)
Get your tickets from trafalgartickets.com
Friday 5th September – Saturday 27th September 2025