The Commitments At Theatre Royal, Nottingham Review

Reviewed by Louise Edwards

This Commitments is back! Adapted from the Roddy Doyle classic book of the late 1980’s and subsequent film, this feel-good musical directed by Andrew Linnie, is performing this week at Nottingham’s Theatre Royal as part of a national tour.

It tells the tale of Jimmi who, bored of the current “art school” music scene, dreams of starting a soul music band in his hometown of Dublin. The raw talent is clearly there as we see friends singing in pubs or busking on the streets all wanting to have fun and be heard.

Jimmi gathers together friends Outspan (played by understudy James Deegan) and Derek (played by Guy Freeman) as his first recruits and they are soon joined by front man Deco (played by Ian McIntosh), Billy (Ryan Kelly), Dean (Conor Litten), James (Stephen O’Riain) and the much older but more musically experienced, Joey the Lips on trumpet (played by understudy Ed Thorpe). To complete the line-up Jimmi asks Imelda (Ciara Mackey) who they all fancy and two of her friends, Natalie (Eve Kitchingham) and Bernie (Sarah Gardiner) to join as backing vocals.

The band is complete! The only slight issue is that from such a mismatched put-together group there will be personality clashes and fallings out. None of the band like the ego of Deco, although they admit he has an incredible voice each gig seems to end up with one or another storming out, and the lineup changes often with Billy storming off to be replaced by hard man/band security Mickah (Ronnie Yorke) who has hidden talent!

Having read the book when it was released and seen the film, the musical storyline is weaker, as can’t go into depth about each character, but is still done very well. It is really all about the music though and you see the development of the band come together. It feels so believable you almost think it is based on real life and not from imagination and pen of Doyle.

Coronation Street legend Nigel Pavaro plays Jimmi’s da who is there in the background supporting and encouraging (and passing comments) on his son and his musical taste.

The set design by Tim Blazden, transforms the stage from bedroom and living room to street and stage seamlessly. It captures the grit and urban feel of North Dublin with the cosy warmth of friends and love.

Tickets are selling fast for this fantastic show that will have you on your feet guaranteed. Yes maybe it is a little dated but such classics do stand the test of time and with the voices of McIntosh and Mackey and classics such as “Mustang Sally”, “I heard it through the grapevine”, “River deep mountain high” and “I can’t get no satisfaction to name just a few of the over 20 soul hits you will recognise, you can’t go wrong. Grab a ticket now for a wonderful evening out!

Running time is around two and a half hours with a twenty-minute interval.

Rating: 5/5

Tickets cost from £22.50 (booking fees may apply).

The Commitments is at the Theatre Royal in Nottingham until Saturday 8 April, for more information or to book tickets visit https://trch.co.uk/whats-on/commitments/ or call the box office on 0115 989 5555.
Theatre Royal & Royal Concert Hall, Theatre Square, Nottingham, NG1 5ND

Details on the national tour can be found here