Twenty nine years after The Commitments first burst from the pages of Roddy Doyle's best-selling novel, the world's hardest working soul band will be returning home to entertain audiences where it all began - Dublin!
Direct from a record-breaking residency at the Palace Theatre in London's West End, the smash hit musical will open for a limited run of 23 performances at Dublin's Bord Gàis Energy Theatre from Wednesday 12th October 2016. Tickets will go on sale on Friday 2nd October 2015 at 9.00am - don't miss out! Following the Dublin run, the show will then embark on a year long UK tour.
Roddy Doyle says; 'Watching The Commitments come together and stay for more than two years in London has been a professional and personal thrill. But the story was born in Dublin; it would never have been written if its author hadn't come from Dublin. So, I'm very, very excited at the prospect of seeing it coming home to Dublin.'
The Commitments received huge critical acclaim following the September 2013 World Premiere in London. Opening to rave reviews, it was quickly hailed as a smash hit musical sensation. The Sunday Times awarded the show five stars, saying "The Commitments is the musical we've been waiting for. So good, our critic almost weeps". The Daily Telegraph and The Times both gave the show four stars and the Daily Mail said the show was "a fabulous fun night out".
The show has been adapted for the stage by Booker Prize-winning author Roddy Doyle, from his original novel. It is directed by the award-winning Jamie Lloyd, famed for directing the critically acclaimed Macbeth, and packed with more than 20 classic soul songs 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, I Can't Turn You Loose and more!
The Commitments is the story of Jimmy Rabbitte, a young working class music fan, who shapes an unlikely bunch of amateur musicians into an amazing live act, the finest soul band Dublin has ever produced. The show follows the journey of two members of a frustrated synthesiser band - the opening scene has them playing, but ignored, in a shop window - who turn to Jimmy, the local music expert, for help.
Placing a classified advert in a music paper, Jimmy auditions a number of wannabes before finalising the new line up who he names The Commitments. The humour kicks in as the band get to know each other and their instruments, and proceed through early rehearsals for their first gig. Just as they improve and begin to get a name for themselves they combust. The backing singers are all getting off with 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.
LISTINGS INFORMATION
Performances:
Wednesday 12th October - Saturday 29th October 2016
Evening shows start at 7.30pm
Matinee shows on Wednesdays, Thursdays (13th October only) & Saturdays start at 2.30pm
For online bookings please visit:
www.thecommitmentsontour.co.uk
Ticket prices:
Tuesday - Thursday and Sunday performances: €30-€57.50
Wednesday matinee: €20-€45
Friday and Saturday performances €40-€65
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