LYCEUM, SHEFFIELD – UNTIL 22 OCTOBER 2022
REVIEWED BY ALISON BEAUMONT
4****
The Commitments are a soul band from Dublin, Ireland who were formed for the film version of the book by Irish writer Roddy Doyle.
The Commitments is a musical comedy-drama and tells the story of Jimmy (James Kileen) who is bored in his sales job at a sweets company. He loves soul music and dreams of forming a band. The role of Jimmy’s Da is played by Nigel Pivaro who most of you will recognise from playing the bad boy Terry Duckworth in Coronation Street. Jimmy manages to put together a 10 piece band of misfits including three backing singers Imelda (Ciara Mackey), Natalie (Eve Kitchingman) and Bernie (Sarah Gardiner).
The musical then follows the band through the rehearsals, to them playing together and fighting as they try to get their music heard in bingo halls and clubs in Dublin.
Decco the leader of the band was played by Ian McIntosh and was a natural in this role and you could tell that he enjoyed every minute, feeling the music as he sang.
The band members play all their own instruments and show off their musical talent.
The show starts with cast members on the stage at the works Christmas party before the lights go down, I’m sure many people can relate to this scene.
From the start there is hilarity, and you will most certainly like the part when the band were getting changed into their suits for their performance at the bingo hall which made everyone laugh.
The show itself ends when the commitments all go their separate ways.
After the curtain comes down Jimmy comes back on stage and the audience participation begins. The band returns on stage with some of everyone’s all time favourites. Some people were already on their feet, singing, clapping and dancing but Decco shouted out to the audience and managed to get everyone up on their feet (that’s one way of getting a standing ovation).
You definitely felt like you were a part of this show being in a pub watching a band.
If you like Soul music you will love this show.