Producer Donal Shiels introduces a unique new concept in home entertainment...
I have always been impressed with artists and performers that are willing to adapt their talents to any environment.
The history of performing arts tells us that circus, street performers and buskers have been with us for many years, indeed centuries.
There is an honesty to this way of performing like no other. Having worked with singers, musicians and artists that have come from a "street" background I have found them to be quiet resilient.
In Ireland, we see this in everyday life. From our parades to our buskers, to our outdoor festivals and events. Despite our indifferent weather, we have an ability to adapt to our climate as well as our artistic preferences. Both can inspire and indeed are often co-dependant.
Some of our inspirational icons like The Diceman, Macnas and Glen Hansard have left a legacy of belief that paved the way to inspire many that have thrived on and have a real income and careers.
Over the past 18 months, it was reassuring to see so many artists and producers want to take the challenges presented to them and offer their talent in order to help other people at this most difficult of times.
Having lived in Ireland through the 70s & 80s – I wasn't aware that it was such a difficult economic time. You just got on with things and lived your best life. In truth, you need more than that in order to truly survive. I was lucky enough to have a diverse range of music available to me. But it was rock, soul and punk that I clicked with as they were easily accessed, and they had a relevant edge to me, that previous music didn’t… I was hooked.
In the late 80s Roddy Doyle was emerging as a new and accessible voice in Ireland. His work like the music of the time, was honest and stark but had an inbuilt twin survival mechanism of funny stories and soul music. The film followed a few years later and all of sudden everyone from Northside Dublin had an agent and was in a movie. It was called The Commitments.
Everyone was either involved or knew someone who was in it. Dreams were back on the agenda and suddenly a confidence was emerging – it manifested itself on the streets, in the studios and a gigs. The fact that it was soul music that provided the backdrop to all of this is completely appropriate. If you follow the roots of where soul music was born - it’s not dissimilar to the setting of The Commitments. Hope was emerging.
When I was looking at different ways of bringing arts to the public over the past 18 months, I stumbled across this idea of a 'Pop Up Musical'. I was lucky enough to have worked with some extremely talented artists that were in The Commitments in London’s West End. Not unlike the story, I explained the concept of taking Soul music to the streets….and not one of them hesitated… they were all in.
Brian Gilligan, Amy Penston, Kevin Hartnett and Leah Penston are all gifted singers and performers –they all have more than the X Factor. They back their own talent and have such belief in their own abilities... it is brilliant to see them deliver it on the street.
We previewed the show recently in Stepaside and I was very taken how the music captured people of ages to sing, clap and stamp their feet. How lucky am I to be in a job where I am witness this?
I believe there is a need for people & events like this – not as a luxury, but as a necessity. It’s called music, arts and culture… it’s who we are.
Pop Up Musical with songs from the film The Commitments is available to come to your street - find out more here.
