He got the last seat in the theatre for the performance and it made such a strong impact, he has been determined to direct it ever since.

“It made a big impression on me,” he said.

“It is so powerful and packs a punch but at the same time is straightforward and not too complicated.

“Many great directors and actors have been attracted to this play which is why it is so popular and has been running consistently in London and New York since it was written in the 1980s.”

Next month Torbay’s production of the play by popular English writer Willy Russell (Educating Rita and Shirley Valentine) will run for eight performances at the new TAS Creative Arts Centre from June 19-27.

It will be his second directing role for the The Armidale Drama and Musical Society following the sell out success of Titanic at Lazenby Hall last year.

“I decided to do the Blood Brothers play rather than the musical because I find it more compelling,” he said.

“It also suits the new TAS theatre which is such an intimate venue and such a joy to work in.

“For me, good theatre is a combination of so many factors. The script needs to be good but that is only part of it.

“It’s the actors, the lighting, the sound, the venue and the audience. When that all comes together, it is magic.”

Blood Brothers tells the story of a woman living in Liverpool who was pregnant with twins when her husband walked out. She agrees to give her employers one of her children.

As they grow up the twins become best friends, they cut their hands and become blood brothers.

But they are separated and their life circumstances change radically. Their meeting after this period apart forms the dramatic plot of the play.

Torbay holds a Bachelor of Music from the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston and a Graduate Diploma in Education from the University of Sydney.

From 1997 - 2008 he was the chief conductor for NSW Department of Education and Training.

In 2000 he conducted and recorded the National Anthem for the closing ceremony of the Olympics with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra and members of the Sing 2001 Choir.

Most recently, he was the director of music and judge on Channel Seven’s Battle of the Choirs.

Bookings are now available at Dymocks 6771-4558.

Evening performances are at 8pm June 19, 20, 25, 26, 27. Matinees at 2pm June 20, 21, 27.