The Commitments

ISABEL COCKAYNE

Abbey Gardens, Bury St Edmunds (Bury Festival)

Everyone in their 30s and probably beyond will remember 1991 film The Commitments.

A Roddie Doyle classic about a group of teenagers who nearly made it to the big time in the music business.

Last night, The Commitments belted out quality, soul/blues numbers for an audience who clapped, danced and sang along.

Though you may have expected more of the 10 players to have appeared in the film, in fact only two - Ken McCluskey (guitar) and Dick Massey (drums) - had, but Joe Marsh, Karen Colman and Claire Malone (singers) were more than a match.

The Irish band kicked off with a crowd warming Wait Till the Midnight Hour followed closely by Chain of Fools, I Can't Stand The Rain and Do Right.

McCluskey, who played Derek “The Meatman” Scully, took centre stage for one track but shared the limelight with trumpet and sax players. The band looked as if they were having as much fun as the audience.

The Commitments may be an easily recognisable brand launched from their film success but there was no doubt of their talents.