Review: The Commitments @ The Olympia – 9th November 2011
Review: Ros Madigan
Photography: Kieran Frost
When the chance came up to take a trip back to one of Ireland’s greatest movies in the form of the Commitments at The Olympia, it really was too good to turn down. For many Dubliners and Irish people alike, The Commitments will go down as the best Irish film of all time.
On the back of the success of their concerts in The O2, Dublin. The Commitments have come together once more to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the film all those years back in 1991.
I unfortunately missed the gigs in The 02 earlier this year and I had presumed I had lost my opportunity to take a walk down memory lane and relive the music that the film had introduced me to. If we think of artists such as: Wilson Pickett, Al Green, Aretha Franklin, Ann Peebles and Clarence Carter. For me, I had grown up listening to these artists and every time I heard these songs I conjured an immediate association and connection to the film I had watched so many times as a child. The mental images of Andrew Strong’s character, Declan ‘Deco’ Cuffe, sweaty face and long tied back hair belting out ‘Mustang Sally’ or ‘Take Me To The River’ will forever be etched in my mind.
Only fitting that the majority of the cast had returned for what was to be an electric soulful journey back in time. A notable absentee on the night was Glenn Hansard who was one of the main instigators of the groups return some 8 months ago and appeared on the press release sent out before the gig. A welcome addition to the gang was Robert Arkins who played Jimmy Rabbitte, the bands manager, all those years ago. Especially poignant as Arkins even leads the band himself in song, as Arkins was originally auditioned and considered for the role of Deco in the film only to land the part of Jimmy.
From the very get go, Andrew Strong pulsates through classics such as ‘Midnight Hour’, ‘Mr. Pitiful’ and ‘Hard to Handle’. The energy that he exudes is immediately accepted and appreciated by the audience as Strong leaps and marauds across the stage, even at one stage hurting his own leg in the process.
As the night went on, every couple of songs, a new vocalist would take to the stage. I was hesitant to accept this at the start as the majority of the people in attendance had come to see Andrew Strong. This was very soon proved wrong as each and every singer on the night were magnificent in their own right.
Angeline Ball, on the night looked stunning and sang ‘Chain of Fools’ and ‘I Can’t Stand The Rain’ among others and really shined. Bronagh Gallagher also joined in as she sang the first of a couple of Aretha Franklin numbers with ‘Do Right Woman’. Bronagh is also an exceptional singer and really shows off her vocal range and amazes once she gets into that higher register. Other cameos on the night as previously stated involve Robert Arkins who dips in and out and sings ‘Treat Him Right’ and ‘Slip Away’. Arkins is one of the most laid back performers going as he strolls across the stage and playfully winks at his band members. A nice addition also was Dave Finnegan who played Mickha, the bands drummer and bouncer in the film. Who would have known he would grow up to have a great soulful voice and collection of dance routines to rival Mr.James Brown. After first being called to the stage by Bronagh Gallagher, he comes back to sing ’99 and a Half’. He exits the stage with two choice comments: “Right, I have to go, I’m Bollixed” and then “Look at all them (pointing to the rest of the band), all in their Louis Copeland waistcoats (he then points to his and declares), PENNEYS!”.
Strong returns to the stage and the atmosphere really heats up. He kicks into a rendition of ‘I Thank You’ by Sam & Dave. This song produces excellent interactions between Andrew Strong and Angeline Ball as they hold each other close with Angeline teasing him throughout. Strong then involves Bronagh Gallagher by pinching her bottom and giving her a cheeky smile. All this cheeky banter went down a treat with the crowd as they looked on with great big smiles.
Then came one of those musical moments in life that I can now check off my list. As I had said, I have watched this movie from a very young age. Ever since, every time I had heard songs from the film sung at karaoke or on the radio, I would always remember The Commitments as the pinnacle. Especially when it comes to the song, ‘Mustang Sally’. I have both heard this song butchered and sang professionally in recent years but good god, was I in for a treat. As the song was underway, I had this great feeling of witnessing something special.
‘Take Me To The River’ provided a suitable predecessor to what was to end this truly fantastic show. That song was to be, of course, ‘Try A Little Tenderness’. The reason why this is a no brainer and more fitting than any other is that this is the song, 20 years ago, that ended the film. It was to be the same story tonight as Strong thundered through this song. Coupling the atmosphere within The Olympia and the casts/bands energy, this song was the highlight of the night.
What a night it turned out to be and I really don’t think this will be the last time we see this show. They already have plans to tour England with a few shows. The way the cast took to the mic and evidently enjoyed this experience, I would imagine this will become much more frequent than a 20 year thing. I hope my presumptions are correct.
Given the recent talk of U2’s break-up and the recent assembly of The Commitments cast, maybe the character of Jimmy Rabbite Sr. was right in the movie when he said: “Is this the band then? Betcha U2 are shittin’ themselves.”
Maybe so. Maybe not.