Picture: Mike Tipping TALENTED York youngsters have brought the original rock opera to the stage, with their version of the story of the "deaf, dumb and blind kid" with a passion for pinball.

A 50-strong cast aged between 11 and 18 and from schools in the city combined their skills in a multi-media interpretation of Tommy, by The Who's Pete Townsend.

The show, staged yesterday at the National Centre for Early Music, in Walmgate, was produced by City of York Council's arts service, with a team of professional musicians, artists and dancers, together with Scapegoat Productions.

David Ashworth, music consultant for the arts service, said: "This is the first time that Tommy has been produced with a cast of children, and it is amazing what they have achieved in an intensive week of rehearsals.

"The production's choral approach proves that rock music is flexible and powerful enough to work not just for a three-minute song, but on an operatic scale."

Updated: 10:39 Saturday, July 27, 2002