Direct from a Record-Breaking West End Run THE COMMITMENTS Comes to Canterbury Next Month

The critically-acclaimed musical, based on Roddy Doyle's 1986 book of the same name, stars Coronation Street legend Kevin Kennedy as Jimmy's Da. It also features many of the cast from the show's two-years at London's Palace Theatre, including Brian Gilligan, who will reprise his starring role of Deco, and Andrew Linnie as Jimmy Rabbitte.

Kevin Kennedy won the hearts of the nation when he starred as Curly Watts in Coronation Street. Since leaving the ITV soap, he has regularly appeared in theatre productions, including Chicago, The Rocky Horror Show, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and We Will Rock You. He 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, impressing the director so much he was cast as Deco a few weeks later.

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 took 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.

The Commitmentettes will be played by sisters Amy Penston, (Natalie) and Leah Penston (Imelda), while Christina Tedders (Bernie) will complete the talented trio.
The Commitments received huge critical acclaim following the September 2013 world premiere in London. 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, Mustang Sally, I Heard It Through The Grapevine, Thin Line Between Love and Hate, Reach Out, Knock On Wood, and I Can't Turn You Loose.

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 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 in a relationship 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.

The Commitments is at The Marlowe Theatre from Monday 20 to Saturday 25 March, with performances at 7.30pm and 2.30pm (Thursday and Saturday). Tickets, priced from £29 to £49.50 (concessions available; booking fee applies), are from the Box Office on 01227 787787, or marlowetheatre.com. There will be a captioned performance at 2.30pm on Saturday.

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