Dublin Soul On The Big Screen1991

Director Alan Parker and some cast members discuss the making of the film The Commitments.

Following the Irish premiere of ‘The Commitments’ at the Savoy Cinema, Dublin some of the actors and director Alan Parker talk to Gay Byrne.

The film ‘The Commitments’ is based on the novel of the same name by Roddy Doyle about a group of young people from working-class backgrounds on the north side of Dublin who decide to form a soul band.

Johnny Murphy who plays Joey ‘The Lips’ Fagan recalls being approached by casting agent Ros Hubbard before a performance of ‘Studs’ in the SFX Theatre, and how he was informed that he was to attend an audition,

Do you play the trumpet?

I said, no.

She said, you will!

Following meetings with Alan Parker and script readings, he got the part and learned enough notes on the trumpet to be accepted.

As with the novel, it was thought that the colorful Dublin vernacular used in ‘The Commitments’ may pose problems for an international audience, so a booklet entitled ‘Tossers Glossary’ was included among the promotional materials for the film.

Presenter Gay Byrne reads some examples aloud, which is too much for the previous guest Lenny Henry,

This is like hearing the queen swearing.

Auditions for the film were thorough, as Robert Arkins explains. He auditioned seven times before being chosen for the lead role of band manager, and was able to draw on his own experience of being in a band that he also manages,

I’m quite aware of being a manager, I guess.

This episode of The Late Late Show was broadcast on 20 September 1991. The presenter is Gay Byrne.

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