The Who's Legendary Rock Opera: Tommy
- ann-evans
- Jun 18
- 3 min read
Updated: Jun 19
Playbox Theatre presents The Who’s Legendary Rock Opera: Tommy. At The Dream Factory, Warwick, playing from Thursday 19 – Sunday 22 June 2025.
Preview
See it. Feel it. Touch it.
This summer, Playbox Theatre explodes onto the stage with one of the most iconic and genre-defining rock operas in history – The Who's Tommy.
Bold, raw, and revolutionary, TOMMY is a landmark in music theatre. First created as a concept album by The Who in 1969, it captured the spirit of a generation. With music and lyrics by Pete Townshend, and the electrifying energy of Roger Daltrey, John Entwistle, and Keith Moon, Tommy broke the mould – an operatic rock journey of trauma, transformation, and triumph.
Now reimagined by Playbox Theatre, this brand-new staging at The Dream Factory is set to ignite the senses.
A Story That Still Resonates: At its heart, Tommy tells the story of a young boy rendered “deaf, dumb, and blind” after witnessing a traumatic event. As he grows, his otherworldly ability at pinball turns him into a messianic celebrity – yet the cost of fame and isolation lingers beneath the surface. From post-war Britain to counterculture revolution, Tommy speaks across generations.
The musical features unforgettable tracks including Pinball Wizard, The Acid Queen, The Amazing Journey, We’re Not Gonna Take It, and more – all performed live by a powerhouse band under the direction of Richard Norris.
The Playbox Vision: Directed by Juliet Vankay, Playbox Theatre’s Deputy Executive Director and Director of Music Theatre, this multidisciplinary production brings together bold choreography (Hannah Hampson), cutting-edge design, and the electrifying energy of Playbox’s young ensemble. Vankay, who grew up listening to Tommy on repeat in her Kenilworth home, brings a personal passion to this show:
“This is not just another musical. Tommy broke all the rules and created new ones. It’s emotional, fierce, strange, and unforgettable – and now, it’s coming to Warwick in a way you’ve never seen before.”
Playbox’s cast of talented young actors brings fresh vitality to this timeless story – Quillan Mitchell, Nathanael Saleh, Elliot Barlow, Mery Sutherland, Jennie Beattie and Elysia Sully with a large Ensemble, take on the iconic roles, supported by a full creative team.
In His Own Words: Stewart McGill on Tommy. Consultant Director Stewart McGill shares a personal reflection on why this moment matters: “At last, Playbox Theatre stage Tommy – and I can’t wait.
“I first encountered the work as a student at Dartington. A group of us piled into a minibus and went to see The Who live at Exeter University. They played their Live at Leeds set and the amazing Tommy… I was enraptured.
“The album captured its time but also has a universality that still speaks to audiences today. The visuals may have changed – it’s no longer Daltrey throwing his mic or Moon demolishing his drum kit – but the heart of the story remains.
“At Playbox, it’s been wonderful to step into rehearsals and see Juliet and her team rediscover the emotional core: loss, trauma, isolation, survival. That’s the real Tommy. There’s grit. There’s wonder. And there’s Rock – real Rock – live on stage again.
“Juliet’s production echoes the post-war Britain Townshend grew up in – a world still healing, still searching for identity. That spirit is deeply felt here.
“As Quadrophenia is reborn as a ballet and The Who announce their final tour, the staying power of their work is clear. The music, the lyrics, the urgency – it still resonates.
“I’ve always believed Playbox was the right company to stage Tommy. Now I get to sit in The Dream Factory, soak it all in… and secretly wish I were up there with them.”
Don’t miss this electrifying production: Tickets: https://www.playboxtheatre.com/events/the-whos-tommy/
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