Life and SOUL

Returning to live theatre for the first time in nearly 20 years, Nigel Pivaro admits: “There’s a slight hint of apprehension.” But the Coronation Street legend is thrilled to be starring in the UK and Ireland tour of Roddy Doyle’s The Commitments, enthusing: “What’s not to love about it? It’s such an iconic show and I’ve always loved the story and the music. It means I get to spend nine months going up and down the country, and I’ll get to stretch my acting muscles again on stage,” he laughs. “In a way, it’s heralding the fact that I’m back in the business.”

Having worked mainly as a journalist for the past 15 years, the man who came to fame as Terry Duckworth in the beloved soap hasn’t been on stage since 2003, when he toured with fellow former EastEnders star John Altman in Bouncers

Nigel’s journey back to the stage in The Commitments actually started in 2020. “When it came along it felt like a golden opportunity, but then of course it was postponed because of Covid, then last year it was postponed again. But here we are now at the starting point, tantalisingly close, and I’m really excited about it.”

In the show Pivaro plays Da, the father of aspiring Irish music manager Jimmy Rabitte. Based on Doyle’s 1987 bestselling novel and Alan Parker’s hugely popular 1991 film adaptation, it revolves around working-class Jimmy’s bid to transform a bunch of amateur musicians into Dublin’s finest-ever soul band, much to his father’s dismay.

“Da provides the dramatic tension,” Nigel says of his character. “There’s lots of friction between Jimmy and the members of the band, but the constant tension in the narrative is between him and his Da. The latter thinks his music is a load of rubbish because it’s not Elvis, basically. As far as he’s concerned, if it’s not Elvis then it’s no good.” Without giving spoilers, the actor adds: “Let’s say he eventually becomes open to persuasion.”

The show is packed with great tunes like Try A Little Tenderness, In The Midnight Hour, I Heard It Through The Grapevine and Mustang Sally. Much of the singing is left to the younger cast members. But Nigel, 62, says: “I get to sing a few bars of Elvis rather than the old Motown and Stax classics,” he laughs again. “That’s probably just as well really.” n

The smash hit West End musical The Commitments is playing at Venue Cymru from Monday 29th May until Saturday 3rd June. Tickets are available from www.venuecymru.co.uk