The Commitments, Mayflower Theatre

SOUTHAMPTON certainly has soul.

A standing ovation, rapturous applause and plenty of dancing in the aisles greeted the sublime finale of a spectacular two hour show filled with wall to wall soul classics.

And the cast looked like they were having just as much fun as the crowd as they brilliantly captured the sheer joy of making music and the giddy excitement of forming a band.

Roddy Doyle's stage version of The Commitments is a raucous delight, as entertaining for newcomers to the story as it is to fans of the 1987 novel and the BAFTA-award winning cult classic film released in 1991.

Last night's audience were treated to fantastic versions of classics including I Heard It Through The Grapevine and Reach Out.

But this is far more than your standard compilation musical. It's tremendously witty and makes stars of the talented band members.

The story follows Jimmy Rabbitte (Andrew Linnie), a young music fanatic living in the Dublin Northside who assembles a group of working-class youths to form a soul band.

As The Commitments find success, tensions mount and tempers fray.

This is essentially an ensemble piece where each and every one of the nine band members shines, but Deco (Brian Gilligan) makes an energetic frontman and the trio of backing vocalists - Leah Penston as Imelda, Amy Penston as Natalie and Christina Tedders as Bernie are given ample opportunity to show off their stunning vocals. Alex McMorran is suitably smooth as Joey The Lips and Sam Fordham makes a wonderful resident nutter as bouncer turned exceptional drummer Mickah.

The swear word count is exceptionally high from the teenage tearaways of North Dublin, but particularly from sarcastic Da, played by former Coronation Street favourite Kevin Kennedy, who has all the best lines and gets lots of laughs.

The five-song finale, which included the likes of River Deep Mountain High and Mustang Sally, wouldn't have been out of place at the concert of any soul legend.

LORELEI REDDIN

The Commitments runs until Saturday. Tickets: 023 8071 1811 or mayflower.org.uk