I'VE never been that much of a soul sister - more a cousin, but brother, can this company smash soul! The Commitments, originally a novel by writer Roddy Doyle (who has adapted his work for this musical) was a hit film 26 years ago.

Set in Dublin’s skankier side, it tells the story of a group of amateur and ‘aspiring’ musicians. Our Saxophonist Dean, played by Padraig Dooney, barely knows which bit to blow through at the start! Shepherded by would-be manager Jimmy (Andrew Linnie) they muddle along, fall out and get off with each other in hugely entertaining fashion and the slow transformation is joyous to see.

The look of this musical is spot on, thanks to Soutra Gilmour’s Set and Costume design, which is shabby, nostalgic and with a slavish attention to detail which is utterly wonderful.

Our ‘name’ is Kevin Kennedy, well-known for his role as Curly in Coronation Street, but his casting is the only bum note. I’d had loved to hear an authentic Irish accent from Jimmy’s Da.

The pace is a little relentlessly samey at times and the quality of the spoken scenes flattened by the radio mics – a notoriously tricky thing to get right. The introduction of Mickah, a sort of aggressive Bez type character is confusing, but Sam Fordham’s characterisation of him is fabulous, as is Brian Gilligan’s sulky, petulant lead singer Deco. The show comes alive for the soul music, but the strong company is also super in the unscripted ‘business’, little character-led bits of ad-libbing which lend the piece a spontaneity and infectious energy. This energy carries over into the sustained finale medley which brought the house down and up on their feet for the curtain call.

Sarah Scott

  • Till Saturday 11th February
  • For tickets ring 08448 11 21 21 or go to www.theatreroyal.co.uk