It is 35 years since The Commitments first burst from the pages of Roddy Doyle’s best-selling novel, and now the world’s hardest working and most explosive soul band are set to return in an all-new stage production, arriving at Mayflower Theatre from Monday 27 March to Saturday 1 April 2023.
The Commitments tells the story of Jimmy Rabbitte, a young working-class music fan, who transforms an unlikely bunch of amateur musicians into an amazing live act, which becomes the finest soul band Dublin has ever produced.
Placing a classified advert in a music paper, Jimmy auditions a number of wannabes before finalising the members of his new band, which he names The Commitments.
As the band get to know each other and their instruments, and grapple with inter-group differences, muddling their way through early rehearsals for the band’s first gig.
Just as they improve and begin to get a name for themselves, they combust. The backing singers are more interested in the middle-aged horn playing legend, the singer has entered Eurovision, the drummer has walked out mid-gig and the saxophone player has dangerous leanings towards a jazz career.
This smash-hit musical will star Coronation Street legend, Nigel Pivaro, who appeared in the hugely popular ITV soap between 1983 – 2012 as the lovable rogue Terry Duckworth.
“I am thrilled to be marking my return to the stage in this production of The Commitments,” says Nigel. “It’s an iconic story that resonates across the years, about people who though distant from the music’s origins find communion and expression in the Motown style.
“A musical genre which was borne out of oppression and which the characters embrace as their own. The Motown Sound is as vibrant today as it was when it first burst through in the Sixties.”
Featuring an electric playlist, The Commitments showcases more than 20 soul classics performed live on stage, including Night Train, River Deep, Mountain High, Papa Was A Rolling Stone, I Heard It Through The Grapevine, Reach Out, and many more!
Tickets for The Commitments (27 March – 1 April) are on sale at mayflower.org.uk or 02380 711811.
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