The Commitments
Musical written by Roddy Doyle. Based on the novel of the same name, also written by Roddy Doyle
Palace Theatre, London. 8 October, 2013
Synopsis
Jimmy Rabbitte aspires to manage the world's greatest band, with only one music in mind: soul. Disgusted with bands in Ireland, he assembles a soul band in the tradition of Otis Redding, Aretha Franklin, and Wilson Pickett. Jimmy holds auditions at his parents' home and assembles a group of young musicians. Unlike his idols, Jimmy's band is white. With the help of Joey "The Lips" Fagan, the veteran musician of the band who has unlikely stories about meeting and working with famous musicians, Jimmy begins to whip the members into shape - coming together beautifully onstage, only to have the group fall apart in a clash of egos.
Main Songs
- You Keep Me Hangin' On
- Knock On Wood
- In The Midnight Hour
- What Becomes of the Brokenhearted
- I Never Loved a Man (The Way I Love You)
- I Heard It Through the Grapevine
- Reach Out I'll Be There
- I Take What I Want
- I Can't Turn You Loose
- Think
- Thin Line Between Love and Hate
- Save Me
- (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction
- Papa Was a Rollin' Stone
- Night Train
- Mr. Pitiful
- Uptight (Everything's Alright)
- Mustang Sally
- Try a Little Tenderness
Featured Songs
- Master and Servant
- Blue Monday
- Don't You Want Me
- Whiskey in the Jar
- McDonald's Girl
- Brass in Pocket
- We Don't Have to Take Our Clothes Off
- Relax
- Addicted to Love
- New Year's Day
- I Want to Take You Higher
- I Wanna Be Your Dog
- Tubular Bells
- All You Need Is Love
- Moon River
- Courtin' In The Kitchen
- Jimmy Jimmy
- Rudy, A Message to You
- Bring It On Home to Me
Principal roles
- Bernie
- Deco
- Derek
- Joey Fagan
- Billy/Dave
- Jimmy Rabbitte
- Dean
- Natalie
- Imelda
- James
- Mickah
- Outspan
- Sap
- Auditionees
- Dodgy Man
- Jimmy's Da
- Sharon
- Ray
- Alice
- Hot Press
- Barman
- Jimmy's Ma/Outspan's Ma