In 1991 a film about an Irish band pf youngsters singing soul became a cult classic and spawned many a hopeful new group.

The Commitments captured the hearts of a public who were both familiar with and new to classic soul stars and their music.

Alan Parker turned Roddy Doyle's novel into a gritty, funny, award-winning movie. It followed the fortunes of 10 teenagers who formed a soul band against the harsh, drab world in the under belly of Dublin.

From that original line up some have faded into obscurity, others have forged a career in the music industry that took them by surprise, yet has endured just over 13 years.

One of the original members is Dick Massey. He was Billy The Animal' Mooney in the film and let rip on drums and percussion.

Dick and fellow original band member Kenneth McClusky (Derek The Meatman' Scully) headline the current tour of The Commitments that comes to the Ashcroft Theatre, Fairfield, on Wednesday, February 16, at 7.45pm. What is the key to their success?

"Well apart from my boyish charm and good looks," jokes Massey, "it really is the music. It's pure soul and when you hear it you can't sit down. The movie struck a chord with people and I think it was the rawness of the cast that gave the film that edge. None of us had acted before and it was a story about a working class set of youngsters using music to break out of the banality. It changed my life and I've got one of the best careers in the world. I played the drums since I was 13, and all I wanted to do was to get on Top of the Pops.

"Over the years the line up has changed many times, there is always a list of no less than 70 people that all want to be a Commitment."

Most band members it seem stay around for about four years, but McCluskey and Massey are at the core. The film took the cast to Hollywood and The Commitments was nominated for an Oscar. What happened to Andrew Strong the big guy with the voice that could nail you to your seat?

"Before the movie was ever released he had a solo record deal signed up. He's still singing, living between Dublin and Scandinavia doing a few gigs. Not as busy as we are though," Massey reflects.

The show still uses many songs from the film but they have expanded on that score including more soul classics. There are songs that they are always asked to play. "We dare not leave out Mustang Sally, Take Me to the River and Dark End of the Street," says Massey. "But it's all great music and we all love the numbers that's what keeps us fresh. As we have got older we are careful to limit the touring and not go into overkill. We do two or three week spurts of touring. We know what people want, that's why we have no new music of our own, that's not what we are about."

The current tour coincides with the re-release of The Commitments film on March 14.

Tickets for the Ashcroft Theatre performance are £15 and £13 from the box office on 020 8688 9291.