The Rock Opera TOMMY, which was first performed by The Who in 1969, was originally conceived by Pete Townshend and Kit Lambert with contributions to the development by John Entwistle, Keith Moon and Roger Daltry.
After witnessing the accidental murder of his mother’s lover by his father, young Tommy suffers a conversion disorder being so traumatized that he loses his ability to speak, see, or hear. As his life meanders on in post World War II England, he suffers abuse from sadistic relatives and neighbours. Tommy is saved from abuse, but not exploitation, when he becomes a pinball wizard. His desperate parents continue to look for a cure while dealing with their own guilt. Tommy’s disorder is cured when his mother smashes the mirror. He becomes a new messiah to his followers, looking for an escape from their own lives they turn on him in revolt. On the verge of returning to the sanctuary of his illness Tommy is reconciled with his family.
On the stage for the first time in Tasmania this adaptation of the original chart-topping rock album. The classic ’60s rock opera by The Who was translated to the stage by theatrical wizard Des McAnuff into a high-energy, one-of-a-kind theatrical event. The exhilarating score is timeless in its youthful appeal, giving the show a cross-generational appeal that has made it a smash-hit around the world.
This was Doug Doherty’s 3rd show as Director for DoMaur Productions and his first ever musical. Doug described it is an honour to have gathered a fantastic cast and crew and to be bringing to the people of Tasmania “The Who’s Tommy”. “Our space means that this performance is not a reproduction of Broadway, but a unique interpretation that is true to the origins of the Album. It is a rock show that will hopefully have you singing along and maybe dancing in the aisles. So put on your eyeshades, put in your earplugs, you know here to put the cork!” said Douglass in the program for the show.
