Tommy

Tommy is a very rarely (if ever) performed musical, arguably due to its content. It's therefore a very brave decision to produce and perform this piece. But sometimes bravery is what you need. Tommy is based on The Who's rock opera, film and stage show of the same name

Walking into the foyer I was warmly greeted by Spot On Productions' Front of House team led by Leanne Killick, and Richard and Sally Hughes, I was given my programme, my ticket and ushered to my seat.

The set was a block of scaffolding "up and over" the band with two screens stage left and stage right. These screens would not olny help to tell the story but would add to the overall piece. It was brilliantly and creatively lit by Martin Whitaker and enhanced the whole feel of the show.

The band, led by Liam Baker, a nine piece, struck the opening chords and we were immediately met by a wonderful wall of sound that hit you right in the middle of your chest, you could feel as well as hear all the notes. It was loud, it was amazing.

The cast were led with confidence and credibility by Harry Taylor as Tommy, Hayley Joy as Mrs Walker and Teddy Clements as Captain Walker and were very well backed up by Toby Walker as the bully Cousin Kevin, Holly Ind as The Acid Queen (The Gypsy) amd a wonderfully sly, slimey Uncle Ernie played by Mark Ponsford. A special mention must go here though to Amira Davies as Tommy aged four and Jacob Calder as Tommy aged ten. Who can forget those wild starring eyes.

The choreography by Abbie Jennings was inventive imaginative story telling at its best, slick, in places complicated, but always delivered with certainty and aplomb by a cast who had obviously been well rehearsed by Adam Rush as Director and by Abbie.

The diction, given the sound and the speed of the choreography was crystal clear, no apparent dropped lines, all the words were heard and understood. That was across the board, principals and chorus alike. You might be forgiven that you were seeing an "amateur" show, such is the professionalism and talent on show here.

The costumes (and there were quite a lot of changes) must have meant many late nights for Mandy Harrison and her crew, but it was well worth it.

Spot On productions reputation for delivering first class, first rate shows is ever growing in a very competitive market place They improve with every show, and the work they put into them is very, very evident.

This was a real tour de force, brilliant in every aspect, performances, musicality, sound, lighting, staging and costumes. Well done Spot On Productions another 11/10

 

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