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The Commitments to be turned into West End musical The Commitments to be turned into West End musical
(6 months later)
One very big reason why it has taken 25 years for The Commitments to hit the stage is because Roddy Doyle thought he did not like musicals. "I'd never been to one," the writer said, admitting that he had batted away about 20 requests to bring it to a live audience.One very big reason why it has taken 25 years for The Commitments to hit the stage is because Roddy Doyle thought he did not like musicals. "I'd never been to one," the writer said, admitting that he had batted away about 20 requests to bring it to a live audience.
Doyle was in London to announce a West End production of what was both a bestselling book and, in 1991, a hugely successful and popular film directed by Alan Parker. It will begin previews in September at the Palace theatre, where Singin' in the Rain closes in June.Doyle was in London to announce a West End production of what was both a bestselling book and, in 1991, a hugely successful and popular film directed by Alan Parker. It will begin previews in September at the Palace theatre, where Singin' in the Rain closes in June.
The Booker-prize-winning novelist said he'd had something of an epiphany when he started going to musicals once his children grew up.The Booker-prize-winning novelist said he'd had something of an epiphany when he started going to musicals once his children grew up.
"I think the first was The Producers. It was quite a revelation because the film is terrific and I was wondering why would you want to do a musical? And actually it was great, it was very funny and sharp and you forgot about the film quite quickly.""I think the first was The Producers. It was quite a revelation because the film is terrific and I was wondering why would you want to do a musical? And actually it was great, it was very funny and sharp and you forgot about the film quite quickly."
Many people will ask a similar question about The Commitments – isn't it best to simply remember a great film? "The challenge is to make it a fresh show and not to ape the film," said Doyle, who has deliberately not watched it in a long time.Many people will ask a similar question about The Commitments – isn't it best to simply remember a great film? "The challenge is to make it a fresh show and not to ape the film," said Doyle, who has deliberately not watched it in a long time.
The writer has been educating himself in the world of musicals as he adapts the book, published 25 years ago, for the stage. "Jersey Boys was a revelation," he said. "I love the way the rhythm never quite stops."The writer has been educating himself in the world of musicals as he adapts the book, published 25 years ago, for the stage. "Jersey Boys was a revelation," he said. "I love the way the rhythm never quite stops."
Doyle has had a bumpy relationship with The Commitments, his story of working-class Dubliners forming an unlikely soul band. For a time he resented the fact that it was the only thing some people knew him for. "I dismissed The Commitments for a long, long time to the extent I forgot I had anything to do with it."Doyle has had a bumpy relationship with The Commitments, his story of working-class Dubliners forming an unlikely soul band. For a time he resented the fact that it was the only thing some people knew him for. "I dismissed The Commitments for a long, long time to the extent I forgot I had anything to do with it."
Then when his kids got older and said how much they loved the film he decided to call back the 20 or so producers who had approached him. The new show is produced by Phil McIntyre and directed by the rising star Jamie Lloyd, currently enjoying success with Macbeth starring James McAvoy.Then when his kids got older and said how much they loved the film he decided to call back the 20 or so producers who had approached him. The new show is produced by Phil McIntyre and directed by the rising star Jamie Lloyd, currently enjoying success with Macbeth starring James McAvoy.
It will include many classic soul songs, including Mustang Sally, but most definitely will not be a "jukebox musical", said Doyle. "If we just told a story, put in a song, told a story, put in a song then maybe. It is about a bunch of kids forming a band and we have to see them learning to play and we have to see them educate themselves. The songs are chosen because they are part of the story rather than stringing together a few songs and seeing if we can thread them a story through it."It will include many classic soul songs, including Mustang Sally, but most definitely will not be a "jukebox musical", said Doyle. "If we just told a story, put in a song, told a story, put in a song then maybe. It is about a bunch of kids forming a band and we have to see them learning to play and we have to see them educate themselves. The songs are chosen because they are part of the story rather than stringing together a few songs and seeing if we can thread them a story through it."
All preview tickets will be half price, a West End tradition, say producers, that has not been seen for 25 years.All preview tickets will be half price, a West End tradition, say producers, that has not been seen for 25 years.
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