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Five years after a record-breaking run in London’s West End and a subsequent sell-out tour, The Commitments hit Cardiff’s WMC with a loud soul clap!
The Commitments holds a special place in the hearts of Ireland and the UK, bringing together a story about the spirit of the working class, sweet soul music from across the pond, and the everyday struggles for unity, whether political or love (or ridin’). As a youth, I watched the film with my parents and had a whole new world of music introduced to me. It bridged the gap between generations and gave meaning to the music that had always played in the background while growing up. To create a live show for this much-loved story is a real treat for any Motown and Memphis soul-loving enthusiast.
Based on the BAFTA award-winning 90s film classic, adapted from the novel written by Roddy Doyle and directed by Andrew Linnie, this fantastic production packs a punch. With over 20 soul classics performed, including “Night Train,” “Try A Little Tenderness,” “River Deep, Mountain High,” “In The Midnight Hour,” “Papa Was A Rolling Stone,” “Save Me,” “Mustang Sally,” “I Heard It Through The Grapevine,” “Thin Line Between Love and Hate,” “Reach Out,” “Uptight,” “Knock On Wood,” and “I Can’t Turn You Loose,” the foot never stops tapping, interspersed with shy sing-alongs from the full house audience.[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”30242″ img_size=”full” add_caption=”yes” alignment=”center”][vc_column_text]
If you haven’t seen the film, The Commitments is set in 1980’s North Dublin, with a young Jimmy Rabbitte ( played brilliantly by James Killeen ) is asked to pull together a band by two lads on his estate. After putting an advert in the local paper and numerous hilarious auditions at Jimmy’s front door, much to the dismay of his Elvis-loving Da, played by Coronation Streets, Nigel Pivaro; Jimmy finally cracks it, The Commitments is formed and they get to work finding their sound and getting to know each other, under the guidance of Jimmy’s vision and Joey the Lips evangelical preaching of taking soul to the people.
Fronted by the obnoxious Deco, known to have a voice to die for, once he’s had a few pints, steals the show, both intentionally and through the charismatic, hilarious performance by Ben Morris. Morris, had the audience in the palm of his hand, while the rest of the band wanted to see him with a fist to the face. Morris’ sweet voice, gave us some really tender moments underneath the Guinness-swilling egomaniac persona of Deco. Backed by the fantastic Imelda, Bernie, and Natalie, played by Ciara Mackey, Sarah Gardiner, and Mary Ann Lynch, the vocal performances were second to none, taking you straight back to a golden era, where you just sat and listened to the music on offer in your local, no distractions, just hypnotised by the harmonies and hips of brilliant female singers.
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The band’s on-stage performance was impressive, swinging between acting and playing rhythm guitar, bass, horns, and drums was extraordinary to watch. A seriously talented cast delivered on all levels. With Ryan Kelly and Ronnie Yorke on drums, smashing it out of the park, then slipping back into characters Billy and skinhead Mickah was brilliant. As was guitarist, Outspan played by Michael Mahony, and Derek “the Meatman” Bass, played by Guy Freeman, there was no miming of instrument playing on stage. It was the real deal. A special mention goes to Ed Thorpe, playing Outspan’s Da, who played a brilliantly funny performance as The Commitments cavorted around him and threw some serious shapes on stage. The ensemble cast elevated it, by becoming the audience along with us.
Tim Blazdell’s set design was a stroke of genius, with an authentic gritty feel of a Dublin estate as its base, with the transitions between scenes in Jimmy’s house, to pub, to estate, to rehearsal space, was seamless and all in keeping with the aesthetic of the ’80s. The set design perfectly juxtaposed against the beautiful music echoing around the space, really helped the spirit of the story come alive, along with the help of the excellent Musical supervision and sound design of Alan Williams and Rory Madden. It was a fantastic production from every point.
Once our story comes to an end, with the band going their separate ways, we were treated to a mini-concert at the end. A standing ovation turned into a soul-clapping, sing-along, with the audience and cast in tune and having a blast together. The Commitments still holds the same magic it did seeing it all those years ago on VHS, so if you want to hit the rewind button and go check out something magical, The Commitments is on till the 27th of May at WMC, and then the Hardest Working band to come out of Dublin hits the road once again.
The Commitments is at The Wales Millennium Centre until May 27th 2023
Tickets can be purchased via the WMC website [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
