The world's hardest working and most explosive soul band have arrived at the Grand Opera House this week for a sold out run.
You’ve seen the movie, you may have read the book, now you can watch, enjoy and dance along in the theatre to this feel good night of soul classics.
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.
The Commitments are a bit rough round the edges at the start as the band gradually introduce new members, a drummer, a saxophonist, a horn player, but when Olivier Award nominee Ian McIntosh arrives on stage to play Deco, and sings, the magic begins. From that point on I was mesmerised.
The soul classics are a joy to hear, and include: 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, I Can't Turn You Loose and many more!
The Commitments come out initially with raw and unpolished talent, but as the show progresses and reaches its climax, they are an impressive and professional band performing legendary soul classics.
If you are getting to experience the show this week, forget about story and focus on the music, and by the end you’ll be dancing and singing along with Deco, the phenomenal Commitmentettes and the band. Make as much noise as possible and continue to show these touring productions that we in Belfast are indeed the best audiences they’ll experience on the tour.
It’s a grower of a show, starting off slowly as the new band is formed and finishing with an astounding energy on stage while the audience sings and dances along to a feel good night at the Opera House.
Jeff
Check out this rehearsal footage: https://youtu.be/0Qv9w-C_wD4
