Quadrophenia – a Mod Ballet – is being developed with Pete Townshend joining forces with Sadler’s Wells ballet company.
Based on the 1973 album by The Who and the 1979 film the new ballet will retell the story of mod Jimmy and his immersion in the clothes obsessed, music loving, hard living culture of the mods of the early 1960s.
The Ballet will premiere in Plymouth in May 2025, moving to Edinburgh from 10-14 June, before a London season at Sadler’s Wells Theatre from June 24 – July 13, and will open at Salford Lowry on July
Pete Townshend said: “Quadrophenia is the only Who album that I solely composed and produced and the movie that followed launched the careers of some of the finest young actors of the time. In 2016 Rachel Fuller agreed to create an orchestral score of the album. 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 and poetic and epic.”
The ballet will be directed by Rob Ashford and choreographed by Paul Roberts, with original costumes by British fashion designer Paul Smith and Natalie Pryce.
An orchestral version of the album by Rachel Fuller and Martin Batchelar, which has already been performed at the Royal Albert Hall and recorded by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra will become the basis of the score for the new work.
Sir Alistair Spalding CBE, Artistic Director and Co-CEO of Sadler’s Wells, said “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
David Joseph, Chairman & CEO of Universal Music UK, said: ‘When Rachel and Pete came to me with the idea of a Quadrophenia ballet with extraordinary new arrangements, it was probably one of the easiest ‘we’re in’ moments I’ve had. We’ve had a long-standing relationship with Alistair and the Sadler’s Wells team so they were the obvious next call, and they just got it immediately. Our only conditions for this project were artistic and creative excellence, which each partner has delivered in abundance. Finally, I must thank Paul Roberts, whose genius has lifted the whole production into something we are all so proud of.’ .”
