The Commitments
Theatre Royal, Glasgow
5 December 2022
⭐⭐⭐
Based on the Roddy Doyle book of the same name, The Commitments is the story of Jimmy Rabbitte, a working class music lover from the northside of Dublin, and the struggles he has putting together and keeping together a soul band.
The cast and the music in The Commitments are great. There are over 20 1960's soul classics performed live, and they are classics for a reason! We start with 'Proud Mary', one of my all time favourites, and then hit after hit takes us through the narrative.
As a piece of musical theatre though, there isn't much else to the show. The plot is minimal - people join the band, people leave the band - that's it really. The character development is sparse.
It's a shame because I would've loved to have known more about the band members, their lives and their situations. The 3 girls for example are excellent singers and obviously have a bit of sass about them, but we don't get to know them at all.
When two of the characters get together with a bang at the end of the show, it kinda comes out of the blue. It's an odd ending and feels forced. But the band does self-combust, so I get the need for some kind of positive endnote.
But! After that ending we get the encore - The Commitments live on stage performing 4 or 5 full numbers. This is arguably the best part of the show. It's a mini concert and the songs are epic. Ian McIntosh is a convincing front man and a scream-worthy leading man; his voice is incredible. I particularly enjoyed the bands version of 'River Deep Mountain High', and ending on 'Try a little tenderness' is a sure-fire crowd-pleaser.
There was a jubilant reception from the sold-out audience and I can see why this show has been so successful and tours time and again.
If you are a fan of the 60s music or of the film, there is much to enjoy here. The North Dublin slang and humour is hilarious throughout (everyone is a bollox). And the scene with the auditionees turning up at Jimmy's house in Act I is a delight.
Most importantly, the cast seem like they're having a ball. It must be like playing on stage with a rock band every night!
⭐⭐⭐
The Commitments plays at The Theatre Royal Glasgow until 10 December and then tours the UK.
[Review first posted on Instagram 6 December 2022]
The Commitments review, UK Tour 2022
🎟️ Disclosure: I was invited to review this show and received a complimentary ticket in exchange. Whether I am invited or not has absolutely no impact on my reviews or star ratings.
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