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Celebrating the 20th anniversary of Pete Townshend's rock opera, this production by final-year BA musical theatre students succeeds on many levels. Firstly, they've been given a fantastic ensemble show to showcase the plentiful talent on stage, and notably one which has not really lost its taboo-busting status. Next, the innovative staging (with design by Becky Minto and direction from Andrew Panton) is at times breathtaking in its effectiveness with a slick and purposeful feel. Finally, they've created a cross-discipline, cross-programme and cross-Conservatoire show as BMus students provide the on-stage band (with musical direction from Simon Beck) and technical and production arts students help create the storytelling illusion of time travel from 1940 into the 1960s (stylishly aided by projection from Kim Beveridge).
Out of the young performers, perhaps the boys have more opportunity to get their teeth stuck into Tommy. The parts of Uncle Ernie and Cousin Kevin are gifts for Craig Anderson and Bay Bryan, respectively, while Lawrence Robb's many guises give his vocals – and cheekbones – ample scope. The singing talents of Scott Gilmour and Sophie Reid as Mr and Mrs Walker are best exemplified in I Believe My Own Eyes while Smash The Mirror provides long-overdue release for Andrew Fraser's Tommy. Act II choreography by Emily-Jane Boyle makes the 1960s come alive, with expert moves from Robert Sharpe and Julian Wejwar. A final nod should go to Kirsty MacLaren's Acid Queen, although her gypsy girl pretty much embodies the phrase "lock up your sons".
With performers from across the UK, Germany and the US, it's a cross-country and cross-continent collaboration too; the Class of 2012 definitely prove there's more to Tommy than just a Pinball Wizard.
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