The Commitments first burst from the pages of Roddy Doyle’s best-selling novel 35 years ago. The world’s hardest working and most explosive soul band returned in an all-new stage production last November and will be at Leeds Grand Theatre from 19 – 24 June.
The smash-hit musical will star Coronation Street’s Terry Duckworth – Nigel Pivaro – who plays ‘Da’.
Nigel Pivaro: “I am thrilled to be marking my return to the stage in this production of The Commitments. 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.”
Roddy Doyle: “I’m delighted that The Commitments are coming back…… and I’m particularly looking forward to seeing how Nigel Pivaro tackles the part of Jimmy Rabbitte’s Da.”
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’.
Humour kicks in as the band get to know each other and their instruments, grappling with inter-group differences as they muddle 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 new tour is directed by Andrew Linnie. Andrew made his West End debut in the original production in 2013, playing the role of Dean, the band’s sax player. He then went on to star in the lead role of Jimmy Rabitte in the 2016/2017 UK tour.
Joining the cast as Deco is Olivier Award nominee Ian McIntosh. Ian is no stranger to this role, having previously played Alternate Deco during the original West End run. Previous credits include Galileo in the UK tour of We Will Rock You, Sid Worley in An Officer and a Gentleman and he was Olivier nominated for ‘Best Supporting Actor in a Musical’ for his role as Barry in Beautiful – The Carole King Musical. His extensive musical career has also seen him perform in Hair and Can’t Buy Me Love.
Other casting includes James Killeen as Jimmy, Stuart Reid as Joey, Ciara Mackey as Imelda, Michael Mahony as Oustpan, Ryan Kelly as Billy, Conor Litten as Dean, Guy Freeman as Derek, Stephen O’Riain as James, Ronnie Yorke as Mickah, Eve Kitchingman as Natalie, and Sarah Gardiner as Bernie. Maryann Lynch, Alice Croft, James Deegan, Callum Martin, Joshua Barton, Ed Thorpe and Colm Gleeson make up the ensemble.
The Commitments musical has been adapted from the novel by Booker prize-winning author Roddy Doyle. Featuring an electric playlist, More than 20 soul classics are performed live on stage, 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.
NATIONAL PRESS REVIEWS
The Commitments is a guaranteed “fabulously-fun night” (Daily Mail) that you will simply never forget.
“The Commitments is the musical we’ve been waiting for. So good, our critic almost weeps” The Sunday Times ★★★★★
“This hugely enjoyable show touches the sublime. Wonderfully funny” Daily Telegraph ★★★★
“Unstoppable fun. A big-hearted, big-night out” The Times ★★★★
THE COMMITMENTS – TOUR DATES
22/05/2023 – 27/05/2023 Cardiff: Wales Millennium Centre
29/05/2023 – 03/06/2023 Llandudno: Venue Cymru
05/06/2023 – 10/06/2023 Manchester: Opera House
13/06/2023 – 17/06/2023 Reading: Hexagon
19/06/2023 – 24/06/2023 Leeds: Grand Theatre
26/06/2023 – 01/07/2023 Newcastle: Theatre Royal
Tickets available from: thecommitmentsontour.co.uk
All photography by Ellie Kurttz. Cover photograph: Eve Kitchingham, Michael Mahony, Ciara Mackey, James Killeen, Sarah Gardiner, Conor Litten, Guy Freeman and Ian McIntosh.
