1. The Film
Although The Commitments is based on Roddy Doyle’s novel of the same name, the 1991 film adaptation was also a huge hit. Not only was the film nominated for a Golden Globe Award, but it won three BAFTA’s. The Commitments did great things for Irish musicians and actors and in 2005 was voted the best Irish film of all time in a poll sponsored by Jameson Irish Whiskey! Roddy Doyle, who also wrote the film’s screenplay, has adapted The Commitments for the stage, meaning not one ounce of magic has been lost!
2. The Director
The musical is directed by the one and only Jamie Lloyd, who is currently one of the most renowned theatre directors in London. This year Jamie has been busy directing his own season at Trafalgar Studios called Trafalgar Transformed. The season has so far seen three high-profile productions: the sold out Macbeth which was nominated for two Olivier Awards and starred James James McAvoy, The Hothouse which received critical acclaim and starred Simon Russell Beale and John Simm and, finally, The Pride which can be seen at Trafalgar Studios until 9th November featuring Gavin and Stacey star Mathew Horne alongside Hayley Atwell. With the fourth and final play due to be announced any day, Jamie was also recently unveiled as the director of Urinetown: The Musical which will receive its UK premiere at the St. James Theatre next year. With Jamie directing, The Commitments is almost guaranteed to be a hit!
3. New Talent
The producers of The Commitments have made it very clear that as well as hiring experienced West End performers, they also wanted to “recruit and unleash a cast that is as hungry and in some cases raw as the characters they are playing”. While for some The Commitments will mark their West End debuts, for others, following the walk-up audition process, the show will also mark their professional acting debuts! Scary but exciting!
4. The Palace Theatre
London’s Palace Theatre has become one of the most iconic theatres in the West End. Famous for its huge displays above the theatre’s entrance, including Priscilla Queen of the Desert’s giant shoe and Singin’ In The Rain’s umbrellas which were wet all year round, the front of the Palace Theatre has once again received a makeover and now features a giant drum and two huge saxophones above the entrance.
5. Previews Are Half Price!
Tickets for all preview performances (before 8th October) are half price, a tradition not seen in the West End for nearly 25 years! This means you can be one of the first people to see the world premiere of The Commitments while saving some money!
[Andrew Tomlins]