The Commitments is showing at Manchester's Opera House until Saturday (10 June). Lisa Burns has been to see it already and here's her review.

The 1980s were renowned for the growth of music, film and literature.

While it might seem like the ‘80s were full of glamour, colourful fashion and extravagant TV shows such as Dallas and Dynasty, behind the glitz and glitter, gritty TV shows, books and films were bursting onto the scene. 

Who can forget such classics as Brookside, Brassed Off, Road, Billy Elliot, Boys From The Blackstuff and Educating Rita?

In 1987, one of the novels of the decade, The Commitments, was released by Irish writer and Booker Prize winner Roddy Doyle, and just a few years later was made into a popular film of the same name.

It is now on stage at Manchester’s Opera House and, judging by Monday night’s audience, it is as popular today as it was back all those years ago.

I read Paddy Clarke Ha Ha Ha by Doyle many years ago, so I knew I was in for a treat at the theatre.

The Commitments centres around a group of working class workers from a Dublin sweet factory who join forces and form a band to sing soul songs.

The group is formed by Jimmy Rabbitte who is a young music fanatic who aspires to manage an Irish soul band based on the American bands of the 1960s.

Jimmy, played by James Killeen, advertises for singers and musicians for his group, but after several unsuitable performers descend on his parents’ house to audition, he decides to go with his work colleagues and acquaintances.

Former Tameside Reporter journalist Nigel Pivaro, best known for playing Terry Duckworth in Coronation Street, plays Jimmy’s dad. He spends most of his time sat underneath the stairs in his house reading the newspaper, but offering words of wisdom to his son.

He is very convincing as the slovenly, but loving father figure, as Jimmy tries to steer the band onto great things.

The band is fronted by egotistically Deco, played by Ben Morris.

He is lazy, likes a drink and comes and goes when he pleases, something which frustrates other members of the group and what ultimately brings about its downfall.

Ben Morris is spot on as the infuriating band leader. He hits all the notes, as do the other members of the group, especially the trio of female singers - Imelda, Natalie and Bernie, played by Ciara Mackey, Eve Kitchingman and Sarah Gardiner.

The play does justice to such classic songs as Proud Mary, You Keep Me Hanging On, What Becomes Of The Broken Hearted, River Deep, Mountain High and, of course, the song which is synonymous with The Commitments Mustang Sally (which my sister, on hearing I was going to see the play, urged me to sing - which I did at the end - along with everyone else in the theatre!).

The show also delivers on the comedy front too.

Mickah, played by Ronnie Yorke, is the band’s unofficial bodyguard, with his skinhead, tight jeans and high laced-up boots. He struts around, frightening everyone, until he shows he is also a talent on the drums.

Joey the Lips, played by Stuart Reid, is the oldest member of the group and plays the trumpet. He also manages to have a relationship with each of the backing singers, much to the distaste of the rest of the band.

Friction starts to appear in the group as they struggle to deal with each other’s personalities, but it is when they come together as a group on stage that they prove how good they are. 

The show is raw and nostalgic. It is also hugely entertaining and is a real rip-roaring trip through a fantastic back catalogue of belt-out soulful rocking tunes.

By the end, it felt like I was at a concert - with the audience on their feet dancing and singing away. 

The only criticism I can make is that I wished this bit would have gone on for longer! A great show. 

It runs until Saturday (10 June) at Manchester’s Opera House. One not to miss!

Images by Ellie Kurttz