Kentish Gazette Canterbury & District
From Corrie to Commitments for Kevin
Former Coronation Street star Kevin Kennedy stars in The Commitments at the Marlowe Theatre later this month.
Kennedy, who was Street favourite Curly Watts, plays Jimmy’s Da in the hit musical, which has wowed critics in London’s West End.
The touring production features many of the original stage cast, including Brian Gilligan in the starring role as Deco and Andrew Linnie as Jimmy Rabbitte.
Since leaving Corrie, Kennedy 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 the enthusiastic audiences who love this show.”
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 his voice so impressed the director that he was cast as Deco a few weeks later.
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, he stepped up to the plate to take on the character and received a standing ovation.
The Commitmentettes are played by sisters Amy and Leah Penston, while Christina Tedders completes the talented trio.
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 which becomes the finest soul band Dublin has ever produced.
The show has been adapted for the stage by Booker Prize-winning author Roddy Doyle from his original novel.
Directed by Caroline Jay Ranger, it is packed with more than 20 classic soul songs, including Night Train, Try A Little Tenderness, River Deep, Mountain High, In The Midnight Hour, Papa Was A Rolling Stone, Save Me, Mustang Sally and I Heard It Through The Grapevine.
The show runs from Monday to Saturday, March 20-25.
Tickets from £29 to £49.50. For more information and show times, visit www.marlowetheatre. com