Jump on board the soul train for a night of feel-good musical theatre as The Commitments comes to Kent.

Roddy Doyle’s 1987 novel about a working-class group of musicians from Dublin is bursting onto the Dartford stage this March, just in time for St Patrick's Day.

The show, starring Coronation Street legend Nigel Pivaro, will be at the Orchard Theatre from Monday, March 13 to Saturday, March 18. You can book tickets online here or call 03433 100033.

Those who are visiting the theatre on Friday, March 17 will be treated to a St Patrick's Day celebration, with Guinness on tap and Irish decorations in the bar.

The story of working-class dreams and the power of music, first penned more than 35 years ago, follows a group of unemployed Irish kids who form a soul band, The Commitments.

Their rise to stardom, through hard work and friendship, is underlined by a turbulent political landscape.

This latest tour features show-stopping soul classics, energetic choreography and a talented cast, including former soap star Nigel Pivaro, who has returned to the stage for the first time in 19 years for the role.

“There’s a slight hint of apprehension,” admits the actor. “I get to spend nine months going up and down the country, and I’ll get to stretch my acting muscles again on stage. In a way, it’s heralding the fact that I’m back in the business.”

Nigel appeared on the cobbles from 1983 to 2012 as the lovable rogue Terry Duckworth, and is now playing the role of Da in the musical.

“Da provides the dramatic tension,” he 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.”

It might not be Elvis, with iconic soul anthems such as Try a Little Tenderness, I Heard It Through the Grapevine, Knock on Wood and River Deep, Mountain High, the soundtrack is brimming with hits.

This new production is directed by The Commitments legend Andrew Linnie, who made his West End debut in the original production in 2013 as sax player Dean, and later starred in the lead role of Jimmy Rabitte in the 2016/2017 tour.