Tommy

Maybe you need to be of a certain age... ‘my generation’… to really appreciate this evocative ‘Rock Opera’ by The Who. Music to stir the memories for those who were there in the 60s and 70s and hopefully a new experience for the ‘new generation’ of fans ! After all ‘The Who’ headlined at Glastonbury this year !

Now; Spotlight needed to put aside an element of audience distaste for the controversial story line, more topical now than ever before! They trusted the passion and enthusiasm of first time director Andy Osborne and it paid off!

From the outset it was obvious that we had a small but very talented band who certainly relished the challenge of a musical score which was constant throughout and demanded a performance against which the audience would judge and compare. Believe me they were up to the challenge and deserve to share the accolades for the success of this show. Most audience members stayed to applaud the music as the band played us out!

There were cast members old and new, of all ages and experience, from Tommy aged 4 (Lucy Carroll), who stoically made the first scenes, those of the cause of Tommy’s trauma, so believable. Her (you would never have guessed she was a girl!) constant stare and concentration were immaculate and we never doubted for a moment that she would waver; a brilliant interpretation. Then Tommy aged 10 (Sebastion Morrison) took over, equally believable and able to convey the ongoing  depth of his affliction in the face of determined abuse and bullying with not a hint of corpsing (cracking a smile!)…even when adorned by a lightshade and having a dustbin dumped on him…Until he discovered the talent for somehow achieving total control of the pinball machine, a super performance. These two were of course early stars and their inner thoughts were conveyed by ‘big’ Tommy (Tom Holt) who showed great vocals and interpretation as he gradually moved into the teenage Tommy role where his voice gave vent to some of the truly moving and memorable songs which make this show an iconic piece of musical theatre. He portrayed that vulnerability and eventual salvation to great effect! All three, stars in the making!

The ‘dark’ and perhaps controversial story line is cleverly depicted from a superb World War Two opening sequence of projected images and miming accompanied by the heavy beat underscore until we arrive at the Walkers house and here Mrs Walker (Emily Holt) and her would be live in lover (Joe Learner), seen in a comfortable domestic situation, are confronted by the now released Capt Walker (Daniel Hughes) who makes an unannounced return home after the war. This trio set the tone and style of the piece. Emily and Dan (The Walkers) were well matched and showed excellent vocal control and harmony with totally believable characterisation throughout. Particularly pleased to see Dan so confident and competent in his first main principal role and Emily also so comfortable with this demanding role. Joe also showed his versatility both as the Mrs W’s lover in a well defined fight with Capt Walker. He also played a nicely crafted Cousin Kevin as he tormented Tommy, but also as one of the trio of ‘lads’ with other soldiers and ‘Teddy Boys’ (Kurtis Hembling and Zak Poll). These three really excelled in their portrayals and especially with their rendition of the iconic ‘Pin Ball Wizard’ number…great stuff !

Of course there were the drunken antics of Uncle Ernie (Peter Simmen), which can prove to be the contentious aspect of this story. Peter made the scene both understandable and poignant without overdoing the sleaze and with a well controlled drunk demeanour; he also added a small touch of humour as the barker on Tommy’s touring show…His level of abuse of Tommy was matched by the aforementioned Cousin Kevin (Joe Learner) who tormented Tommy with all sorts of ‘games’ and again made a believable scenario of seemingly ‘nice’ young man with a sadistic streak !

All sorts of strategies were explored to cure Tommy, all of which failed! So in desperation Tommy is introduced to a pushy hawker come pimp (Ian Addison), who in a well choreographed  and sung number, ‘Eyesight to the Blind’, persuades Mr Walker to let his Woman ‘The Gypsy’ (Julia Rymer) attempt to use her ‘charms’ to bring the now adolescent Tommy back to the real world. This was a well devised scene with some, shall we say, exotic dancing from the ensemble dancers and a dramatic and ‘sexy’ but stylish, rendition of ‘The Acid Queen’ from Julia with a performance to stir the male audience members!  But of course even she fails to rouse Tommy’s interest and resorts to her solace in the sleazy world of drugs and prostitution…Well depicted and avoiding being offensive!

The ensemble were strong with creative choreography and excellent harmony singing throughout. On occasion the male ensemble were a trifle ragged in some numbers but in many ways this added to the realism and I was impressed with their moves as they created a backdrop to the scenarios depicted by the lead players. They were a gang of men who clearly gelled together and enjoyed their cameos as required. Cameo roles were also strong and well delivered with too many to mention individually but each one can be assured that they were all appropriately acted and all added to the overall quality of the show.

I will just mention the ‘hair tingling’ scene when Mrs walker breaks the mirror and Tommy is released from his torment…a great dramatic moment to savour!

Costumes were generally of the era and appropriate; the military uniforms were particularly authentic…unlike the rather disappointing policemen’s kit !We can however forgive that as their enthusiasm in attending the ‘crime scene’ was a joy!

Projected settings worked well (especially that opening sequence!).

Leaving aside a few minor mostly unavoidable techs, this was an excellent piece of theatre and a credit to all involved…it deserved bigger audiences but those who came will remember it and reflect on the quality…and the memories. We look forward to ‘something completely different’ with the magical production at Christmas of the  musical, ‘The Lion The Witch and The Wardrobe’.

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