A ballet from The Who’s Pete Townshend produced in east London is due to launch next month.
Quadrophenia: a Mod Ballet has been in progress for over eight years and is based on The Who’s 1973 album QUADROPHENIA and later cult classic film (1979) of the same name.
The record is the only work of the band to be solely composed and produced by Townshend, and was adapted into an orchestral score by his wife and fellow musician Rachel Fuller in 2016.
Townshend, 79, said: “When I first heard a demo of this version, without vocals, my first thought was that it would make a powerfully rhythmic and emotionally engaging ballet.
“The themes of young people growing up in difficult times are still so relevant.
“It’s going to be poignant, tender, poetic and epic.”
The ballet is set among the mod subculture which emerged in England in the late 1950s and was typified by sharp suits, soul music and Italian vespas.
Its members were often in conflict with those of the rocker subculture of leather jackets, rock music and American motorbikes.
The ballet follows troubled mod Jimmy who, in his search for community, leaves his job as a post-room boy and spends his time partying and picking fights with their rivals.
It will premier on tour at the Plymouth Theatre Royal on 28 May, and will visit Edinburgh and Southampton before returning to London on 24 June.
The production has been in rehearsals since 2023 at Sadler’s Wells East in Stratford.
It’s the theatre’s fourth London venue and is located in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in Stratford.
The 550-seat theatre was opened in 2024 and also has a dance school and training centre.
Sadler’s Wells co-CEO Sir Alistair Spalding CBE said: “It’s an honour for Sadler’s Wells to be a collaborator and lead producer of this unique production.
“Quadrophenia is a story crying out to be told through dance and with this talented creative team we can be sure that we can achieve its full potential.”
Alongside Townshend and his wife, the ballet has a host of established creatives behind it.
This includes London choreographer Paul Roberts who has worked with the likes of Harry Styles, Katy Perry and the Spice Girls.
Roberts said: “Quadrophenia has inspired me so much, bringing its legacy forward and discovering its voice in movement created so much emotive energy and passion every time we entered the workshop room.”
Roberts is joined by British fashion house Paul Smith and designer Natalie Pryce who created original costumes for the show.
The orchestral arrangement was composed by Fuller in collaboration with composer Martin Batchelar.
It had its concert premier at The Royal Albert Hall performed by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.
Multi-award-winning director of Quadrophenia: A Mod Ballet, Rob Ashford, said: “I’m excited at the idea of art forms evolving and emerging into new territory.
“That’s certainly what’s happening with Quadrophenia.
“I’m thrilled to collaborate with these brilliant artists on this dance and theatre piece.
“The music is timeless in its orchestral form and makes the perfect backdrop as we tell the story of Jimmy, and evoke a world of mods and rockers.”
Quadrophenia: a Mod Ballet dates and cities
28 May-1 June: Plymouth, Theatre Royal
10-14 June: Edinburgh, Festival Theatre
18-21 June: Southampton, Mayflower Theatre
24 June-13 July: London, Sadler’s Wells Theatre
15-19 July: Salford, Lowry
Featured image credit: Johan Persson
Join the discussion