The Commitments At Leeds Grand Review

Reviewed by Jenny Bray

This musical is an adaptation of the BAFTA award winning film, which was based on the original novel by Roddy Doyle, a Booker prize winner. It has already had a successful run in the West End and a national tour and is now touring again to enable more of us across the country to be able to see it. It is directed by Andrew Linnie, who I was surprised to read had originally played sax player Dean in the West End production and then Jimmy in the original tour!

The story is based in working class 1980’s Dublin. Jimmy Rabbitte (James Killeen) decides to put a band together after two of his friends, Outspan (Michael Mahoney) and Derek (Guy Freeman) discuss music and wanting to form a band. Jimmy decides it should be a soul group so holds auditions at his house and promises to put together ‘the world’s hardest working band’. Jimmy wants a variety of musicians and singers and soon manages to enlist the interesting grouping that he decides should be called The Commitments. Joey ‘The Lips’ is a veteran musician who wants to join them and ends up letting them practice in his garage. There is more music than plot in this musical, which works well considering the plot is about the progress of the band.

Even if you aren’t a big fan of 60’s motown and soul music, I’m sure most people would recognise at least some of the many well known hits during this show, including; Mustang Sally, I Heard It Through The Grapevine, In The Midnight Hour, Try A Little Tenderness, Papa Was a Rolling Stone and River Deep, Mountain High.

The set is quite clever in that it is a block of grey, depressing looking flats representing working class 1980s Dublin. However, these convert to being a pub, inside a house, inside a garage, various gig settings and a variety of other settings which work really well. It also means that there are really minimal set changes with just the odd table and chairs or instruments being brought out, meaning the story isn’t interrupted by set changes.

The outfits start as standard 80s wear then progress to white shirts and black suits for the men and black dresses for the women. Watch out for some funky neon appearing in the second part.

The tension between different band members keeps the plot part of this musical both realistic and comical. I really enjoyed Ronnie Yorke’s portrayal of Mickah, a skinhead bouncer taken on to provide protection at their gigs. Deco (Ben Morris) plays a great lead singer who starts off humble after being approached by Jimmy, but soon develops a huge ego as well as a penchant for turning up late. He also has a great singing voice for leading the male vocals. Eve Kitchingham as Natalie, came across as having the best vocal pitch of the girls, although her voice harmonised well together with that of Ciara Mackey as Imelda and Sarah Gardiner as Bernie.

Leeds Grand is easy to find, with lots of parking choices nearby. We parked in the Templar Street car park, which is only £3 for the evening after 7pm and only about a 3 minute walk from the theatre. There are bars to order pre-show or interval drinks from as well as ice cream available in the interval.

This is a fun musical, that doesn’t take itself too seriously. There are recognisable songs galore throughout and the rest of the storyline is easy to follow. At the end, the cast do a sing a long and encourage the audience to stand up and clap along. I found this part a little too long but the rest of the audience seemed to love it, so I was in the minority! There were various points throughout the show where you could see that some of the audience were really enthralled and having to hold back from singing, until the end when it’s encouraged and everyone was standing up dancing, clapping and joining in.

Rating: I rate it a 4/5

Tickets cost from £30 to £58.50
The Commitments is on at the Leeds Grand Theatre between 19th June and 24th June 2023.
For more information or to book tickets visit www.leedsheritagetheatres.com, contact boxoffice@leedsheritagetheatres.com or call the Box Office on 0113 243 0808
Leeds Heritage Theatres, 46 New Briggate, Leeds, LS1 6NZ