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DIRECT
FROM LONDON’S WEST END
THE
COMMITMENTS
TOUR
CASTING ANNOUNCEMENT
The Commitments
Newcastle Theatre
Royal
Monday 6th
– Saturday 11th February 2017
Coronation Street legend, Kevin
Kennedy to star as Kimmy Da, and featuring the original cast from the record
breaking stage show, including Brian Gilligan to star as Deco and Andrew Linnie
to star as Jimmy Rabbitte, coming to the Theatre Royal in Spring 2017.
Casting has been announced for the West End
hit musical THE COMMITMENTS. Coronation
Street legend, Kevin Kennedy, is to star as Jimmy’s Da in the UK tour of the critically acclaimed musical The Commitments written by Roddy Doyle.
The UK tour will also feature many of the cast from the
record breaking show’s two year run at London’s Palace Theatre, including Brian Gilligan who
will reprise his starring role of Deco and Andrew Linnie who will star as Jimmy
Rabbitte.
Thirty years since The Commitments first burst from
the pages of Roddy Doyle’s best-selling novel, the world's hardest working soul
band will be going on a seven month UK tour.
Roddy Doyle said: “The Commitments were born in Dublin, moved to London, and will soon be hopping all over the shop. I
wrote the novel – invented the characters – in 1986, and it thrills me to think
that they will be entertaining audiences throughout the UK and Ireland 30 years later, in 2016.”
 |
| Kevin Kennedy |
Kevin Kennedy won the hearts of the nation when he
starred as Curly Watts in Coronation Street. Since leaving Coronation
Street, Kevin has regularly appeared in theatre productions including: Chicago, The Rocky Horror Show, Chitty
Chitty Bang Bang and We Will Rock You.
Kevin said: “After working abroad, I am delighted
to be returning to such an iconic musical as The Commitments. It is a pleasure to travel around the country
playing to enthusiastic audiences who love this show.”
Brian Gilligan originally played the role of
drummer Billy ‘The Animal’ Mooney in the West End
production. Several months later, he was
overheard singing to himself in the stairwell at The Palace Theatre and blew
away the director, leading to him being cast as Deco a few weeks later.
Brian said: “I am very fortunate to be returning to
a role and show that I really love. It’s gonna be exciting bringing the show
back home to Dublin.”
Andrew Linnie was originally part of the West End
production’s ensemble, but saved the day when the actor playing Jimmy Rabbitte
damaged his knee and both of the understudies were unavailable. Despite not
having performed the role before on stage, Andrew stepped up to the plate to
take over that the role that evening, and received a standing ovation after
just a few hours rehearsals. He then carried on playing the role for the rest
of the week and got great reviews for his performances. After performing the role in the West End,
Andrew will now play Jimmy Rabbitte on the UK tour.
Andrew said: “I made my West End
debut in this show and couldn’t be more delighted to be returning to play the
wonderful music again.”
The Commitmentettes will be played by sisters Amy
Penston, (Natalie) and Leah Penston (Imelda), while Christina Tedders (Bernie)
will complete the talented trio.
Amy said: "I'm absolutely over the moon to be
back with The Commitments playing
Natalie. I'm so looking forward to working with some of the old gang and rock
the stage together again. Not only that, but it's a dream come true to back on
stage with my wonderful sister, Leah. We're just elated to be working together
again!"
Leah said: “I'm so thrilled to be joining the cast
of The Commitments, playing the role
of Irish icon Imelda Quirke, which was originally portrayed in the film by
Angeline Ball. I have some pretty big shoes to fill! The fact that I get to
perform alongside my amazing big sis makes it all the more special. It's going
to be a tour to remember!”
Christina said: “I have loved The Commitments since I was a little girl - my nightly renditions
of 'Mustang Sally' were both the joy and bane of my parent's evenings! I'm
totally thrilled to be playing the role of Bernie.”
Also appearing on the tour, having appeared in the West End
production, are Peter Mooney (Derek), Padraig Dooney (Dean), Sam Fordham
(Mickah) and John Currivan (Billy). They will be joined by Rhys Whitfield
(James), Alex McMorran (Joey), and Christian James (Outspan).
The Commitments received huge critical acclaim
following the September 2013 World Premiere in London. Opening to
rave reviews, it was quickly hailed as a smash hit musical sensation. The Sunday Times awarded the show five stars,
saying “The Commitments is the musical
we’ve been waiting for. So good, our critic almost weeps”. The Daily Telegraph
and The Times both gave the show four stars and the Daily Mail said the show
was “a fabulous fun night out".
The show has been adapted for the stage by Booker
Prize-winning author Roddy Doyle, from his original novel. Directed by C Jay
Ranger, The Commitments is packed
with more than 20 classic soul songs performed live on stage including: ‘Night
Train’, ‘Try A Little Tenderness’, ‘River Deep’, ‘Mountain High’, ‘In The Midnight
Hour’, ‘Papa Was A Rolling Stone’, ‘Save Me’, ‘Mustang Sally’, ‘I Heard It
Through The Grapevine’, ‘Thin Line Between Love and Hate’, ‘Reach Out’, ‘Uptight’,
‘Knock On Wood’, ‘I Can't Turn You Loose’ and more!
The Commitments tells the story of Jimmy Rabbitte,
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 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 playing legend, the
singer has entered Eurovision, the drummer has walked out mid-gig and the
saxophone player has dangerous leanings towards a jazz career.
Tickets:
The Commitments plays at Newcastle
Theatre Royal from Monday 6th February – Saturday 11th February
2017. Tickets are from £19.50
and can be purchased at www.theatreroyal.co.uk or from the Theatre Royal Box Office on 08448 11
21 21 (calls cost 7ppm plus your phone company’s access charge).
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