The Commitments
The Commitments
Roddy Doyle's best-selling novel has made its way to the stage, adapted by the Booker Prize winner himself.
Wowing audiences at the Palace Theatre, this musical will get you dancing on your seat. With great live performances of the most loved Soul tunes such as Aretha Franklin's "Think", Stevie Wonder's "Uptight" and the classic "I Heard It Through The Grapevine" you'll go home humming away! (click here to listen to the tunes on Spotify!)
The Commitments is set in inner city Dublin and follows local music expert Jimmy Rabbitte's sometimes desperate attempts to get a band together. But not just any band. The best soul band Ireland has ever seen. Dreaming of Otis Redding and Aretha Franklin, Jimmy cobbles together a pasty-faced bunch of down-and-out Dubliners who, despite the odds, seem to be going somewhere … before they implode.
The Commitments has been two years in the making. Soutra Gilmore's set design captures the disillusionment of 1980s Dublin perfectly and the performances given by the cast are faultless. This is a very witty yet poignant play in which the struggle with the spectre of a bleak future is carried out against a backdrop of incredible soul anthems, such as 'Thin Line Between Love and Hate' and 'Try a Little Tenderness', and in which the joy of making music is made powerfully clear!
- Duration
2 hours 20 minutes including one interval.
- Offers Information
Save up to 44% on selected prices and performances.
Additional Details & FAQ
- Cancellation Policy
No refunds available after purchase.
- How Does It Work
You will receive a confirmation email with your booking reference.
If you choose collect at box office please print this and bring it with you on the day of the show a minimum of 30 minutes before the performance start time.
If you choose post - tickets are sent 5 days after purchase.
- Suitable For Children
The Commitments contains some adult themes and the occasional swear word, making it unsuitable for young children. Children over the age of 12 are welcome to enjoy the show if accompanied by an adult.
- Where Do I Go
Palace Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue London W1D 5AY
By Tube - Nearest underground station is Leicester Square (Northern and Piccadilly lines)
By Bus - 29, 24, 176
Critic Reviews
The Telegraph
Oct 11, 2013
The biggest compliment I can pay Jamie Lloyd’s production is to say that it really has got soul. It’s memorably gritty at times (the swear-word count is exceptionally high) and also proves wonderfully funny and touching. This is much more than a bog-standard compilation musical. The dialogue has a splendid sarky wit and the exhilaration of making music is beautifully caught. There’s a strong sense that for these kids – living in bleak council estates and struggling along in dead end jobs or on the dole – being in a band offers the one real chance of hope and escape.
Reviews
Shona MacGregor
Nov 1, 2015
Thoroughly enjoyed the show. it exceeded expectations and totally deserved the stand ing ovation that had us dancing in the aisles . highly recommended
Michelle
Nov 1, 2015
Singing was fantastic really enjoyed the performance.
Mags
Nov 1, 2015
We saw the film years ago and my husband was determined to see the stage version. It did not disappoint. The cast were brilliant and a must see.
william spouge
Oct 31, 2015
what a show had the place dancing and singing at the end
Jon
Oct 28, 2015
a superb high energy show, with many well known songs. hope it returns soon !
Karen powell
Oct 25, 2015
What a great show. Loved every minute well done guys x
Mark Formstone
Oct 25, 2015
Awesome, honest, working class entertainment, ten out of ten.
Paul Nicolson
Oct 25, 2015
Gets going in the second half. Good range of singers, but the story line a little weak compared to the movie. Sets were good.
chris Paddle
Oct 23, 2015
great show, fantastic performance by all the performers who worked their sock off and that showed at the end when it was obvious that many were looking somewhat exhausted through their efforts on stage. The songs and music were enjoyed by the whole audience that was obvious by the ovation the cast received.
Pat barker
Oct 22, 2015
Great show thoroughly enjoyable
Anne O
Oct 22, 2015
This is one of the best musicals I have seen. Loved the sets and the constant action. The audience were on their feet dancing at the end. The cast gave it their all. There was a glitch because of a power failure... Not the theatres fault. But did result in a late performance. Cast incorporated a joke into the musical on this. So well done to them to come on and handle it so well!
Hannah Bender
Oct 22, 2015
Unfortunately we did not have a great experience and felt very disappointed. When we arrived our seats had been changed without us being told, this was a problem as I had specifically booked certain seats due to my boyfriend's bad knee and long legs. Then as the manager's were trying to find us other seats there was a power cut for roughly 30-40minutes. The show did go on and we managed to have our original seats, but this stage we felt very deflated and then the show was also disappointing in my opinion. I had got the tickets as an anniversary present for me and my boyfriend and there wasn't much more that could have gone wrong...so not a great experience or way to celebrate an anniversary.
Karen Bagwell
Oct 21, 2015
It was absolutely fantastic. Great show and great atmosphere.
Dawn S
Oct 19, 2015
What a great night we four girls had if you saw the movie it's even better live!! If you didn't as my daughter and her two friends but enjoy good music you will love this show.
Nigel
Oct 19, 2015
Great show. Entertaining from start to finish . Had a lovely day
Gracie Jenkins
Oct 17, 2015
Loved it! The Commitments film is a classic and so was this show!! Simple as that.
Steve
Oct 15, 2015
Enjoyed the movie and the musical didn't disappoint.
Patricia Hopgood
Oct 14, 2015
Absolutely brilliant its a shame it is leaving London, hopefully it will be back
Mr S Foster
Oct 12, 2015
Fantastic show, non stop energy, funny, great acting, superb singing & dancing, total enjoyment
Sandra Fagan
Oct 11, 2015
Excellent show got what everyone wants, music, funny, alive brilliant show and the actors were great
Diane
Oct 11, 2015
Fab show entertaining funny witty really enjoyed it.
Diana
Oct 11, 2015
Very good show from start to finish. Very funny and fantastic music
lynn coughlin
Oct 10, 2015
brilliant show, cast were great..loved the humour. and singing fantastic..all round great evenings entertainment..if it wasn't closing next month, would have gone again..
ROY
Oct 8, 2015
if some of the audiance had been as good as the show I would have enjoyed the show a lot more I was sat at the back of the dress circle all I could see was phone's lit while they where recording the performance then showing it back to there partners. not a member of staff about to stop them, and a party of 6 adults!! that where shouting to each other and when people around them complained they just carried on
Nina
Oct 6, 2015
We had a wonderful time, great seats, we had a box, the show was brilliant, fast moving with a fantastic cast. Can't recommend it highly enough
Lisa Painter
Oct 5, 2015
Had a fabulous night, excellent cast, songs were performed brilliantly and loved the pace of whole performance, a must see.
Nina
Oct 5, 2015
We had a wonderful time, great seats, we had a box, the show was brilliant, fast moving with a fantastic cast. Can't recommend it highly enough
Cheryl Cooper
Oct 5, 2015
Fantastic show with a great cast. Can honestly say it's the best musical-you'll up dancincg in the aisle's.
Sheelagh
Oct 4, 2015
Excellent cast, very funny, excellent singing, great humour
Angela eiffert
Sep 30, 2015
Great music, fantastic singing and a chance to join in at the end with everyone on their feet singing.
Charlie Kaufman
Sep 28, 2015
Great sets, performances and an all round enjoyable upbeat show.
Tracey
Sep 27, 2015
Brilliant show, very funny, great music
Tara Heather
Sep 24, 2015
we all enjoyed this show even my 9 year old daughter . We are all different ages fun for all the family.
Chris Mann
Sep 23, 2015
I believe this show is ending Nov 1 in London, you must go and see it is truly brilliant . Funny and touching and sexy . At the end of the show there was an encore and we got a bollicking for not making enough noise and we deserved it . The whole theatre was up on its feet, true joy and as I said brilliant !
Jacqueline Adcock
Sep 21, 2015
Brilliant show liked it so much we are going to book to see it again also taking our daughter
Brian Milner
Sep 21, 2015
Brilliant fun show with great music
Don McMaster
Sep 18, 2015
As good if not better than the movie-full of energy and fun!
Jacqueline Adcock
Sep 14, 2015
Brilliant show liked it so much we are going to book to see it again also taking our daughter
Claire
Sep 14, 2015
Discovering a fantastic team of actors while enjoying rediscovering famous tunes!
Carol Mullins
Sep 14, 2015
The Commitments was a brilliant show, loved every minute, especially when the male singer jumped off the stage and sang into the isles and sang. only disappointing bit was he was the other side of where we were sitting!...all the singers had incredible voices, an amazing show
Karen
Sep 13, 2015
It was a fantastic way too spend a Saturday afternoon . Worth every penny
Alan Bates
Sep 13, 2015
Missed the start because of the demonstration in London, but my wife and i really enjoyed the performance of the Commitments, singing and dancing along to the old songs we remembered from our teens. The only down side was I had a large pillar bang in front of me, so i couldn't see much, but still enjoyed the music.
Annie
Sep 13, 2015
The Commitments has to be the best show I have seen. The second half had us up on our feet for non stop dancing. Fantastic atmosphere brilliant show.
Margaret Heisner
Sep 11, 2015
1st half was virtually immature" slapstick comedy" with seemingly unnecessary sexual references and language . Fortunately 2nd half improved immensely with excellent audience participation .
Elizabeth O
Sep 10, 2015
I went to The Commitments with my parents who loved the original movie, I personally had no idea what to expect as I hadn't seen or heard about it before. From start to finish I was fascinated by the cast and the set. It was hilarious, the cast were incredible. They had the whole theatre up on their feet dancing. Great set design, use of the whole stage and the interaction with the audience had everyone's attention.
Martyn
Sep 7, 2015
I got tickets for my dad and stepmum for Christmas and could not have been happier with both the show and seat choices (W in stalls). The view was great and the seats comfy. We still felt pretty close to the action and the sound was excellent. They stayed very true to the movie and the character acting was just fantastic. The 2hrs flew by and would highly recommend this to anyone that likes a good soul & motown singalong with their lighthearted comedy. They got everyone up dancing for the final few songs - I wish we had been able to do that earlier but crowds are crowds. My advice: be that person that gets the party started early.
S mc
Sep 6, 2015
Really good up beat show. Even got upgraded on where we sat without having to ask! The only downfall was that I ordered 4 tickets but for unforeseen circumstances our parents were not able to make it. I did ask if we could change the date but was told No so we had to go without them which was a shame.
Simon Cooper
Sep 2, 2015
If you only see one show this year, make it The Commitments. Energy, music, funny, great staging ... it has it all. We loved it.
Arlene Wright
Aug 31, 2015
Fabulous, enjoyable, funny.
Ann Walsh
Aug 31, 2015
Was very disappointed, and feel cheated as we were so looking forward to going to London to see a show. The biggest problem being the volume, my ears were hurting. Quite a few people left the show early. I wanted to leave, but we decided to stick with it for the climax, wish we had left early. I think the theatre was less than half full which sais it all.