Casting announced for The Commitments UK tour

Brian Gilligan is reprising his performance as Deco in the UK tour of The Commitments, having played the role in the West End. He will appear alongside West End cast member Andrew Linnie as Jimmy Rabbitte.

Coronation Street's Kevin Kennedy will star as Jimmy’s Da in the show which is written by Roddy Doyle. The original West End production was directed by Jamie Lloyd. The Commitments tour will open at the Churchill Theatre in Bromley on 3rd October, before opening in Dublin for the first time ever. It will then travel to theatres across the UK until May 2017.

The Commitments to open in Dublin ahead of UK Tour

Following its West End closure, The Commitments will open at the Bord Gàis Energy Theatre in Dublin next year for a limited run of twenty-three performances.

The musical runs between 12th and 29th October 2016. Tickets will go on sale on 2nd October 2015 at 9am. After its Dublin run, The Commitments will 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 confirms West End closure & announces plans for 2017 tour

It has been confirmed that The Commitments will end its West End run at the Palace Theatre on Sunday 1st November 2015. Producers are planning an extensive 2017 UK and Ireland tour, further details will be announced soon.

Since opening on 8th October 2013, The Commitments - adapted for the stage by Roddy Doyle from his original best-selling novel - has played more than 1,000 shows.

Directed by Jamie Lloyd, the show features numbers such as I Heard It Through The Grapevine, Knock On Wood, Try A Little Tenderness and of course, Mustang Sally.

The Commitments extends West End booking to September 2015

Jamie Lloyd's production of The Commitments has extended its West End run at the Palace Theatre until 13th September 2015. The show opened in September 2013.

Phil McIntyre (producer) says “We’re extremely happy to announce that The Commitments has extended its current booking period for the second time to September 2015. The response from audiences has been quite incredible and we are thrilled the show will continue its residency at The Palace Theatre.”

The Commitments features many classic soul songs including Think by Aretha Franklin, (I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction by The Rolling Stones, Papa Was A Rolling Stone by The Temptations, Knock on Wood by Eddie Floyd, In The Midnight Hour by Wilson Pickett, Try A Little Tenderness by Otis Redding and of course, Mustang Sally.

Review: The Commitments at the Palace Theatre

The Commitments 
Palace Theatre

Reviewed on Wednesday 8th October 2014

★★★★

As soon as the announcement was made that Jamie Lloyd would be at the helm of the stage musical adaptation of The Commitments, my heart exploded with anticipation. As a child of soul, growing up watching the iconic movie version of Roddy Doyle's gritty and hilarious novel and obsessing over the characters and music so much that I started a soul band of my own when I was 17, it had always baffled me why it had not been done before.

Big Interview: John McLarnon

John McLarnon is currently starring in Jamie Lloyd’s West End production of The Commitments which celebrates its first birthday at the Palace Theatre today! 

John understudied five roles in the original cast before taking over as Outspan full-time last month. The Commitments has been adapted for the stage by Roddy Doyle from his original novel.

Originally from Glasgow, John made his West End debut as Rebel Leader and first cover Pop in We Will Rock You (Dominion). His theatre credits also include: Spider in Jekyll & Hyde (Union), Josh in Elegies For Angels Punks & Raging Queens (Tron Theatre, Glasgow) and Hamish/Superfly in Jack & The Beanstalk (Perth Theatre). He also created the role of John in the award winning Wasted Love (Edinburgh Fringe & Actors Church, London). As a singer-songwriter he released his debut EP last year. 

I recently spoke to John backstage at the Palace Theatre about his new West End leading role, why The Commitments is his dream job, his Irish accent and only knowing one musical theatre song when he joined drama school…

In 2012 I reviewed you in The Improvised Musical at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival… and just over two years later here we are in your West End dressing room!

It’s been a mad couple of years actually! When I did the fringe that year I knew I was going into We Will Rock You. I literally started the next month which was an amazing feeling – I could really enjoy it. When I found out The Commitments was coming in I spoke to my agent but it was going to be really, really close dates-wise. Because I was desperate to do this we decided I should just go for it anyway and then the dates changed so it was going to be a month overlap. It was up in the air for a while, but then We Will Rock You were so supportive of me and Mark Dugdale (who also went from We Will Rock You to The Commitments at the same time). They managed to get someone else to return to the show so it all worked out.

The Commitments confirms new West End cast

Natalie Hope, Brian Gilligan & Sarah O'Connor 

The Commitments has announced its brand new 2014/2015 cast. 

From tonight (16th September 2014), the lead role of Deco will be played by Brian Gilligan. The actor has been playing drummer Billy ‘The Animal’ Mooney since the musical opened last year.

Press material explains Gilligan's casting: "Brian’s appointment to the role was serendipitous. The associate director of the production, C Jay Ranger, was backstage at The Palace Theatre, making her way upstairs to the offices when from the stairwell she heard the most astonishingly powerful, stirring voice launching into the vocals of Marvin Gaye’s soul classic ‘I Heard It Through The Grapevine’. 

"Completely taken aback by the raw, soulful sound, she followed it up flight after flight of stairs, until she discovered Brian Gilligan, headphones on and in a world of his own, in a musical moment that would change his life.

"C Jay immediately recommended Brian to Director Jamie Lloyd, who saw him for an audition and Brian was cast only a few weeks later. Brian and will be taking to the stage as Deco; a role he has coveted and admired since being enthralled by the way Roddy Doyle brought him to life in his best selling novel."

Video: The Commitments official trailer

The West End production of The Commitments recently released a brand new trailer featuring the musical's cast in action. Watch the trailer below!

The Commitments opened at the Palace Theatre in October 2013 featuring a cast full of fresh and exciting talent. The show has been adapted for the stage by Booker Prize-winning Roddy Doyle, from his original novel. 

Killian Donnelly to star opposite Beverley Knight in Memphis

Killian Donnelly (pictured right) has revealed he will star opposite Beverley Knight in the West End premiere of Memphis at the Shaftesbury Theatre.

Writing on Twitter he said: "So excited to be joining @Beverleyknight in the London production of @MemphisMusical from October!"

Donnelly is currently starring as Deco in The Commitments at the Palace Theatre. He will play his final performance in the role on Sunday 14th September 2014 ahead of Memphis' first preview on Thursday 9th October. The musical officially opens on 23rd October.

The Commitments extends to April 2015

The Commitments has extended its West End run at the Palace Theatre until Sunday 19th April 2015. 

Producer Phil McIntyre said: “We’re extremely happy to announce that The Commitments has extended its current booking period to April 2015. The show has really found its feet in the Palace Theatre and the response from audiences has been quite incredible."

The Commitments opened in October 2013 featuring a cast full of fresh and exciting talent. The show has been adapted for the stage by Booker Prize-winning Roddy Doyle, from his original novel. 

The musical is directed by the award-winning Jamie Lloyd and is packed with classic soul songs including ‘Think’ by Aretha Franklin, ‘(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction’ by The Rolling Stones, ‘Papa Was A Rolling Stone’ by The Temptations, ‘Night Train’ by James Brown, ‘In The Midnight Hour’ by Wilson Pickett, ‘Try A Little Tenderness’ by Otis Redding and ‘Mustang Sally’.

The Commitments to celebrate St Patrick’s Day with extra performance

The Commitments have been bringing Dublin Soul to London’s West End since opening at the Palace Theatre last October. To celebrate St Patrick’s Day 2014, the cast will ditch their only day off in favour of a special, one-off performance to celebrate the big day in true Irish style.

The Commitments features over 20 classic soul songs including Think by Aretha Franklin, (I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction by The Rolling Stones, Papa Was A Rolling Stone by The Temptations, Night Train by James Brown, In The Midnight Hour by Wilson Pickett, Try A Little Tenderness by Otis Redding and Mustang Sally.

Casts of Matilda, Spamalot & The Commitments to perform during Children In Need tonight!

The West End casts of Matilda The Musical, Spamalot and The Commitments will perform during Children in Need's 2013 Appeal Night which is broadcast tonight (15th November 2013) from 7:30pm on BBC One. Sir Terry Wogan, Tess Daly, Fearne Cotton, Zoe Ball and Nick Grimshaw will play host to some of the biggest names in music, comedy and entertainment including: One Direction, Doctor Who, Harry Hill, and cast of Call The Midwife. 

British sporting legends Torvill & Dean will perform in the Strictly Come Dancing ballroom whilst the cast of EastEnders will put on a special performance featuring a plethora of dance styles from Bollywood to ballroom, live in Albert Square. Since 1980 Children in Need, the BBC’s UK charity, has raised over £600 million to change the lives of disadvantaged and young people across the UK. Click here to donate.

Big Interview: Killian Donnelly

Killian Donnelly is currently celebrating after winning rave reviews for playing Deco in the West End premiere of The Commitments, a role he has played since the early workshop stages of the production. 

Adapted for the stage by Roddy Doyle, who wrote the original novel, and directed by Jamie Lloyd, The Commitments opened at the Palace Theatre last month where it is currently booking until October 2014.

Killian is no stranger to the West End stage. Since moving to the capital from Ireland he has played many iconic roles including: Tony in Billy Elliot (Victoria Palace) and Raoul in The Phantom of the Opera (Her Majesty’s Theatre). Killian was a ‘swing’ in Les Misérables at the Queens Theatre and went on for Jean Valjean and Javert before eventually taking over as Enjolras.

His other theatre credits include: Collins in Michael Collins (Cork Opera House), Sweeney Todd (Gate Theatre, Dublin), Ethan Girard in The Full Monty (Olympia Theatre), Tony in West Side Story (The Solstice), Declan in The Wireman (Gaiety Theatre) and Rod in Singin’ in the Rain (Olympia Theatre).

Killian took part in The Phantom of the Opera’s 25th Anniversary concert at the Royal Albert Hall and played Courfeyrac in Les Misérables’ 25th Anniversary concert at the O2 Arena. On screen he recently played Combeferre in the film adaptation of Les Misérables directed by Tom Hooper.

I recently spoke to Killian about working with Jamie Lloyd, living like a nun and life after The Commitments...

The past few months have been absolutely crazy for you with rehearsals, previews and opening the show, not to mention all the press you’ve been doing. Have you had a chance to stop, breathe and take it all in?

It has really been go go go! And we’ve been doing interviews and rehearsing during the day for various TV slots so it has been a bit mental. But we get Mondays off, and on a Monday I literally sit and do nothing, that’s when I’ve been able to take it all in. My mam, dad and sister came over for the opening night, I guess because during previews we were still chopping and changing the show – making big changes, taking away songs, adding in songs – and it wasn’t until the Monday after opening night that my Dad sent me a text saying “It’s brilliant.” It wasn’t until then that I actually realised that it had been quite a rollercoaster ride! And since then we’ve been doing lots of promo so it has been manic, but I absolutely love it!

Review: The Commitments at the Palace Theatre

The Commitments

Palace Theatre

Reviewed on Tuesday 8th October 2013

With a score packed with classic soul songs, London's latest new musical has been adapted for the stage by Roddy Doyle from his novel of the same name, twenty-five years after it was published. Slickly put together and featuring a rock solid cast bursting with fresh new talent, there is an exciting buzz surrounding The Commitments which is directed by Jamie Lloyd, the man everybody is talking about.

Sneak peek at... The Commitments!

Production images have been released for the world premiere of the musical adaptation of Roddy Doyle’s The Commitments. The production, directed by Jamie Lloyd, officially opens at the Palace Theatre tonight (8th October). Take a look at the pictures below (click on an image to enlarge).

The Commitments is the story of Jimmy Rabitte, 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 legend, the singer has entered Eurovision and the saxophone player has dangerous leanings towards a jazz career.

Updated: Casting announced for The Commitments

First picture of The Commitments cast

Casting has been announced for Jamie Lloyd's production of The Commitments which opens at the Palace Theatre on Tuesday 8th October 2013 (with previews from 21st September). The Commitments will mark many cast members' West End debuts.

The lead role of Jimmy Rabbitte will be played by 22-year-old Denis Grindel, who is making his West End debut. Denis, from Dublin, studied law but has given it all up to follow his dream of performing in the West End. He beat off several thousand hopefuls who auditioned for Roddy Doyle's new show to land the lead role.

Other cast includes: Killian Donnelly (Deco), Sarah O’Connor (Imelda), Stephanie McKeon (Natalie), Jessica Cervi (Bernie), Ben Fox (Joey ‘The Lips’), Mark Dugdale (Derek), Brian Gilligan (Billy), Andrew Linnie (Dean), Joe Woolmer (Mickah), Matthew Wycliffe (Outspan), Padraig Dooney (Ensemble).

From what we can gather the cast will also feature: Dean Faye, Clodagh Long, John McLarnon, Thomas Snowdon, Sharon Sexton, Ian Mcintosh and Natalie Hope, but this is yet to be confirmed.

Theatre Gossip: Killian Donnelly, Sarah O’Connor and Sean Kearns join ensemble of The Commitments

Killian Donnelly

According to the Daily Mail, Killian Donnelly (Billy Elliot, Les Miserables), Sarah O’Connor (Les Miserables) and Sean Kearns (Billy Elliot, The 39 Steps) have been cast in the ensemble of The Commitments. 

The Commitments opens at the Palace Theatre on Tuesday 8th October 2013 (with previews from 21st September). Tickets are on sale now! The show has been adapted for the stage by Roddy Doyle from his original novel. 

The production will be directed by Jamie Lloyd, who most recently directed Macbeth as part of Trafalgar Transformed at Trafalgar Studios. The show will be packed with classic soul songs including ‘Mustang Sally’.

The Commitments is the story of Jimmy Rabitte, 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.