TOMMY, rock band the Who’s rock opera, has not been seen on a Southend stage for almost two decades.

Leigh Operatic and Dramatic Society is now reviving the spectacular tale of the blind, deaf and mute pinball wizard, under a new director who has proved something of a wizard himself in the past.

Mark Valencia carved a powerful directorial reputation while head of drama (and assistant headmaster) at Southend High School for Boys.

“A number of Lods members had children at the school, saw Mark’s productions, and decided we just had to recruit him to direct a show for us,” says chairman Andrew Seal.

The chance to direct Tommy proved sufficient persuasion for Mark. Most people now know Tommy from the Ken Russell film, starring Roger Daltrey, but Mark has chosen to go back to the starting point, the Who’s 1969 album. Mark says: “Forget the movie. The stage version is far closer to the original album.”

In the part of Tommy is a Lods newcomer, Glenn Sanderson. The talented Glenn received a rave review from the Echo when he played the title role in Southend High School’s production of the Phantom of the Opera, directed by Mark.

If Tommy is seldom performed on stage, the reason may be quite simple. “You look at it and you wonder how anybody could ever put it on in the first place,” says Mark. “That was a big part of the appeal.”

Tommy, Palace Theatre, Westcliff, Wednesday, May 7, to Saturday, May 10. 7.30pm. Matinee 2.30 on Thursday and Saturday £16 (matinees £13) 01702 351135