Joe McElderry and cast in Tommy the Rock Opera at Blackpool Opera House
The Who’s Tommy the Rock Opera continues at Blackpool Opera House until 26 September.
Star rating: five stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Cast your mind back 40 years to eccentric director Ken Russell’s over the top film version of The Who’s 1969 double album rock opera Tommy.
Well, if you can’t manage 40 years, try and remember when you first saw the video or CD and what image springs to mind?
Is it Elton John wearing impossibly stacked ‘bovver’ boots? Tina Turner being a scarily sexy Acid Queen? Oliver Reed as a sinister Uncle Ernie? Or Paul Nicholas as Cousin Kevin trying to be bad as he bullied similarly tousle-haired Roger Daltrey’s deaf, dumb and blind Tommy?
All unforgettable, but all likewise unrepeatable, so it’s thanks all round that this latest stage version casts all that to one side in favour of the late 1990s book collaboration by Tommy’s main creator Pete Townshend and Des McAnuff.
It also brings in Paul Nicholas as director to add a touch of deftness and a big degree of tightness to the proceedings – though he treats Blue ‘boy’ band member Antony Costa with kid gloves, giving him more of a West Side Story feel than the bullying thug Cousin Kevin deserves.
Musical director Robert Wicks gives his live ensemble a rock band freedom in this massive theatre which is echoed by Nick Richings’ excellent lighting.
Just to backtrack, if you missed the album, film, CD, earlier stage versions et al – this is the godfather of rock musicals and touches on so many taboos, were it starting out in 2015 there’d be some barge pole bruises around.
As many readers will know, it’s the story of a youngster who is stunned into deaf, dumb and blindness having witnessed his mother’s lover murdered by his father. He is then sexually abused by his uncle (Tony Bayliss as Uncle Ernie singing ‘Fiddle About’ is no less disturbing all these years down the line), mercilessly bullied by his cousin and generally abandoned by one and all until he becomes a pinball wizard, prophet and rock star. All accompanied by a string of rock hits.
Not your everyday musical plot but one which makes for an excellent showcase for former X Factor winner Joe McElderry. He hasn’t got the most distinctive voice in the world and nor is he the best actor. But he’s convincing, capable and likeable – three essential ingredients in this latest version of the show.
Mum and Dad Walker, Ashley J Russell and Will Barratt, add on operatic flair and Melanie Bright’s sassy Gypsy cameo is over far too quickly.
John Carrick
www.wintergardensblackpool.co.uk
Readers may also be interested in:
Joe McElderry to play title role in UK tour of Joseph next year – News
SHARE THIS POST:
Comments are closed.