Society members were inundated with new University of New England students wanting to become involved with the city’s cultural life at Lifesaver Day on Tuesday. 

While the cast is yet to be assembled, production director Warren Bartik said the influx of student interest would be a boost for the 30-plus ensemble. 

 “The names we’ve got, some people say they want to be in production or make up or backstage, but the majority want to perform,” Bartik said. 

“It’s actually quite a large ensemble, there’s about 35 in the cast for Tommy.

“That’s a mix of ages and just about everybody has a little cameo feature somewhere.”

The large number of new recruits bodes well for the society ahead of its information night on February 23.

Bartik said the production, which is tale of a deaf, mute and blind pin-ball player who becomes an international messiah, would be a knock out for audiences. 

“It’s not an often performed musical but it’s from the original album by The Who in 1969 and the Broadway stage production in 1993. 

“There’s dancing, the music is just amazing.”

 The information night will be held at The Armidale School’s Hoskin Centre on February 23 at 7pm.