The Commitments
Cliffs Pavilion, Southend on Sea
1st - 6th May 2017
Cliffs Pavilion, Southend on Sea
1st - 6th May 2017
Set in the Eighties, The Commitments tells the story of Jimmy Rabbitte, a young working class music fan, who shapes an unlikely bunch of amateur musicians into an amazing live act, the finest soul band Dublin has ever produced. The show follows their journey for success.
I watched an interesting programme on the tv a couple of months ago, about the biggest band break ups and make ups. It documented the highs and lows of band life - the creative tension that produces great music and the pressures that come with success and fame, and pull most bands apart. It would appear that throughout the ages most bands have had their disagreements, whether it be over artistic differences, competitive egos over who sings the lead or jealousy over who was sleeping with one of the backing singers; The Commitments and their tireless Manager, Jimmy Rabbitte, it would seem, were no different.
Adapted from the film, this stage version comes with a fabulous realistic and gritty set which is perfect for the period and the pace is kept flowing with some nifty and expertly timed scene changes.
The quality and talent of all the young performers in this production is outstanding and all of the cast work their socks off in this show, proving once again that you don't have to put a 'star' in a production to make it work. Having said that, Coronation Street's Kevin Kennedy strides in and out of the production as Da, providing some laughs as Jimmy's cynical father with a nice little cameo caretaker role giving him a bit more stage time.
The real stars of this production though are the band and with musical theatre performers these days being told that they need to acquire the triple-threat skills of acting, dancing and singing in order to succeed, these guys can boast a quadruple threat as they completely smash their instrument playing skills to the max during this production.
From the moment the show begins with 'Proud Mary', Brian Gilligan, reviving his role from the West End production as Deco, reveals the most amazing vocals and the three girls who eventually become The Commitments' backing singers - sisters, Amy Penston and Leah Penston and Christina Teders, all sound fabulous together providing some great harmonies and also stand out with their solo numbers. 'Think' at the end of Act 1 was a particular favourite for me.
Keeping the flow of the production zipping along is Andrew Linnie, another original cast member from the West End production, who plays the integral role of Jimmy, whose pain you can really feel throughout his journey. Anyone thinking of managing or being in a band should absolutely watch this show to appreciate the realistic highs, lows, perils and pitfalls that can befall any rookie musician with pipe dreams of wealth and success!
The person who almost stole the show for me, and gave a brilliant masterclass in character acting, was Sam Fordham as over eager skinhead doorman/security man, Mickah, who was terrifying and funny in equal measure.
One of the endearing qualities of the film of The Commitments was how the wonderful subtle sardonic humour of the Irish filtered through it. This, however, didn't always translate as well from the stage. Having said that, there were still plenty of chuckles to be had throughout and this is essentially a 'feel-good' show with a huge amount of energy generating from the cast.
The Commitments is packed with more than 20 classic soul songs, all performed live on stage by the cast including: Night Train, , 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, I Can't Turn You Loose .
Anyone who has seen the film will know how it ends and I shan't spoil it for those who are new to the story. Unlike the film, audiences are treated to a finale from the band ending in Otis Redding's 'Try a Little Tenderness' and the Southend audience were up on their feet with a well deserved standing ovation.
Tickets are available online at www.southendtheatres.org.uk or call the box office on 01702 351135
I watched an interesting programme on the tv a couple of months ago, about the biggest band break ups and make ups. It documented the highs and lows of band life - the creative tension that produces great music and the pressures that come with success and fame, and pull most bands apart. It would appear that throughout the ages most bands have had their disagreements, whether it be over artistic differences, competitive egos over who sings the lead or jealousy over who was sleeping with one of the backing singers; The Commitments and their tireless Manager, Jimmy Rabbitte, it would seem, were no different.
Adapted from the film, this stage version comes with a fabulous realistic and gritty set which is perfect for the period and the pace is kept flowing with some nifty and expertly timed scene changes.
The quality and talent of all the young performers in this production is outstanding and all of the cast work their socks off in this show, proving once again that you don't have to put a 'star' in a production to make it work. Having said that, Coronation Street's Kevin Kennedy strides in and out of the production as Da, providing some laughs as Jimmy's cynical father with a nice little cameo caretaker role giving him a bit more stage time.
The real stars of this production though are the band and with musical theatre performers these days being told that they need to acquire the triple-threat skills of acting, dancing and singing in order to succeed, these guys can boast a quadruple threat as they completely smash their instrument playing skills to the max during this production.
From the moment the show begins with 'Proud Mary', Brian Gilligan, reviving his role from the West End production as Deco, reveals the most amazing vocals and the three girls who eventually become The Commitments' backing singers - sisters, Amy Penston and Leah Penston and Christina Teders, all sound fabulous together providing some great harmonies and also stand out with their solo numbers. 'Think' at the end of Act 1 was a particular favourite for me.
Keeping the flow of the production zipping along is Andrew Linnie, another original cast member from the West End production, who plays the integral role of Jimmy, whose pain you can really feel throughout his journey. Anyone thinking of managing or being in a band should absolutely watch this show to appreciate the realistic highs, lows, perils and pitfalls that can befall any rookie musician with pipe dreams of wealth and success!
The person who almost stole the show for me, and gave a brilliant masterclass in character acting, was Sam Fordham as over eager skinhead doorman/security man, Mickah, who was terrifying and funny in equal measure.
One of the endearing qualities of the film of The Commitments was how the wonderful subtle sardonic humour of the Irish filtered through it. This, however, didn't always translate as well from the stage. Having said that, there were still plenty of chuckles to be had throughout and this is essentially a 'feel-good' show with a huge amount of energy generating from the cast.
The Commitments is packed with more than 20 classic soul songs, all performed live on stage by the cast including: Night Train, , 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, I Can't Turn You Loose .
Anyone who has seen the film will know how it ends and I shan't spoil it for those who are new to the story. Unlike the film, audiences are treated to a finale from the band ending in Otis Redding's 'Try a Little Tenderness' and the Southend audience were up on their feet with a well deserved standing ovation.
Tickets are available online at www.southendtheatres.org.uk or call the box office on 01702 351135
Ask the Audience
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Lesley Bowman, Southend on Sea
"I enjoyed it from start to finish. The lead singer and the girls are just fantastic. It was great. I thought it was a shame that more of the audience weren't up on their feet dancing at the end!" |
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Marcia Critchley, Leigh on Sea
"I thought the lead singer was excellent and the guy who played Jimmy. It did seem a bit slow in places and sometimes the Irish accents were a bit difficult to pick up." Paula Walker, Leigh on Sea
"I really love the music and the lead singer and the girls were excellent. The whole cast worked really hard but, personally, I was a bit disappointed with it." |