蜜芽传媒

Kirsty Wark reunites those involved in the making of 1991 film The Commitments.

In the late 80s, a young Dublin school teacher self-published a novel about a group of kids from the impoverished Northside rising above their circumstance by forming their own soul band. It was called The Commitments, and it soon attracted the notice of film producers - as well as veteran film director Alan Parker.

The film was shot in Dublin, with a cast composed almost entirely of young musicians and non-actors, plucked from busking spots and the stages of gig venues. Much of Parker鈥檚 time was spent coaxing performances out of his young cast members. And like a real band, they played all of the music live - selected especially from the back catalogue of Stax and Motown.

The film opened to critical acclaim - but it really found its footing in Ireland, where it was the most successful film ever at the box office at the time of its release. It would go on to win Best Film at the following year鈥檚 BAFTAs - and the soundtrack went triple platinum.

Kirsty is joined in the studio by Lynda Myles, who co-produced the film. Ros and John Hubbard were the casting directors who scoured Dublin鈥檚 late night for raw talent. Angeline Ball played blonde backing singer Imelda Quirke and soon became one of the film鈥檚 most recognisable faces. Dave Finnegan was spotted busking on Grafton Street and was cast as the band鈥檚 bouncer and eventual drummer, Mickah Wallace. And Roddy Doyle, who wrote the book, would eventually win The Booker Prize for 1994 novel Paddy Clarke Ha Ha Ha.

We鈥檒l also hear contributions from Colm Meaney, whose turn as the Elvis-obsessed patriarch of Doyle鈥檚 Rabbitte family cemented his place in the Irish comedy canon, and Bronagh Gallagher, who played Bernie McLoughlin - the backing singer who needed the band 鈥渕ore than anybody鈥�.

Producer: Rebecca Guthrie
Presenter: Kirsty Wark
Series Producer: David Prest

A Whistledown production for Radio 4