Victorian Opera has announced the cast for its new production of The Who’s Tommy, the musical based on the legendary British rock band’s 1969 concept album Tommy, which sold more than 20 million copies.

The musical, featuring music and lyrics by The Who’s guitarist and vocalist Pete Townshend, tells the story of a boy whose traumatic childhood leaves his senses paralysed but who nonetheless excels at pinball. It picked up five Tony Awards when it hit Broadway in 1993, with the original London production winning three Olivier Awards in 1997.

Mat Verevis. Photo supplied

Starring in the title role for Victorian Opera as pinball virtuoso Tommy is Mat Verevis, whose recent appearances include Beautiful: The Carole King Musical and Victorian Opera’s A Little Night Music. Verevis is joined by Chris Ryan as Captain Walker, Amy Lehpamer as Mrs Walker, Paul Capsis as The Gypsy, Kanen Breen as Uncle Ernie and Vincent Hooper as Cousin Kevin.

The ensemble cast includes Sheridan Anderson, Jared Bryan, Monique Dawes, Mark Doggett, Darcey Eagle, Courtney Glass, Matt Hamilton, David Hammond, Savannah Lind, Louis Lucente, John O’Hara, Matthew Predny, Emma Russell, Dean Schulz, David Sirianni, Darren Tyler, Jessica...