Le monde des musicals

Version 1

Tommy (1979-02-Queen's Theatre-London)

Type de série: Original
Théâtre: Sondheim Theatre (Londres - Angleterre)
Durée :
Nombre : 118 représentations
Première Preview : Inconnu
Première: 06 February 1979
Dernière: Inconnu
Mise en scène : Paul Tomlinson •
Chorégraphie : Tudor Davies •
Producteur :
Star(s) :
Avec: Allan Love (Tommy), Anna Nicholas (Acid Queen), Peter Straker (Narrator), Kevin Williams (Cousin Kevin), Sue Bond (Nurse), Steve Devereaux (Lover), Bob Grant (Uncle Ernie)
Commentaires : This was the first West End stage presentation of the smash-hit 1967 recording. A concert version was given at the Rainbow Theatre in 1972, a stage version had played in America, and Ken Russell directed a film version starring Roger Daltrey in 1975. That same year a fully-staged production was produced at Derby Playhouse. An expanded version was staged by the Queen’s Theatre, Hornchurch in 1978 and it was this latest version that came into London. However, with its confused messages of biblical and rock-drug references, and the absence of its original pop heroes, it received poor notices and managed just a three month run.

Version 2

Tommy (1993-04-St. James Theatre-London)

Type de série: Original Broadway
Théâtre: St. James Theatre (Broadway - Etats-Unis)
Durée : 2 ans 1 mois 3 semaines
Nombre : 27 previews - 899 représentations
Première Preview : 29 March 1993
Première: 22 April 1993
Dernière: 17 June 1995
Mise en scène : Des McAnuff •
Chorégraphie : Wayne Cilento •
Producteur :
Star(s) :
Avec: Tommy ... Michael Cerveris / Mrs. Walker ... Marcia Mitzman / Captain Walker ... Jonathan Dokuchitz / Cousin Kevin ... Anthony Barrile / The Gypsy ... Cheryl Freeman / Uncle Ernie ... Paul Kandel / Tommy (age 10) ... Buddy Smith / Tommy (age 4) ... Crysta Macalush, Carly Jane Steinborn / Ensemble/Other Roles ... Michael Arnold

Version 3

Tommy (1996-03-Shaftesbury Theatre-London)

Type de série: Revival
Théâtre: Shaftesbury Theatre (Londres - Angleterre)
Durée : 11 mois 1 semaine
Nombre : 391 représentations
Première Preview : 20 February 1996
Première: 05 March 1996
Dernière: 08 February 1997
Mise en scène : Des McAnuff •
Chorégraphie : Wayne Cilento •
Producteur :
Star(s) :
Avec: Paul Keating (Tommy), Kim Wilde (Mrs Walker), Alistair Robins (Captain Walker) , Nicola Hughes (Acid Queen), Hal Fowler (Cousin Kevin), Megan Bertie (Nurse), John Partridge (Lover), Ian Bartholomew (Uncle Ernie), Steve Devereaux, James Gillan.
Commentaires : This was a completely re-written version, with many changes from the version that ran for just three months in the West End in 1979. The writer-director, Des McAnuff, had softened the story of the young boy who loses all his senses when , at the age of four, he witnesses his father killing his mother’s lover. Unable to communicate, abused by his family and the town louts, he somehow becomes a pinball wizard. Eventually he recovers his senses and develops into a messianic superstar. At the end of the show he returns to the bosom of his family. The production was notable for many stunning stage and lighting effects.

Die-hard Who fans complained that this version removed all the passion, fire and rage of the original, written at the time of Woodstock and the Vietnam War, when the only solution to the ills of society was to drop out. However, this version had opened to ecstatic reviews on Broadway in 1993 and ran for 899 performances . This spectacular London revival received very mixed notices, although there were rave notices for newcomer Paul Keating in the title role. It came off after just under a year, with a considerable financial loss - but shortly after it closed it won three Olivier Awards (Outstanding Musical, Best Director and Best Lighting).