The world premiere of Quadrophenia, a Mod Ballet will tour to Mayflower Theatre from 18 – 21 June 2025.
In 1973, guitar smashing rock genius Pete Townshend wrote Quadrophenia.
Recorded by The Who – it quickly became an iconic and multi-million selling album. Quadrophenia defined a generation and in 1979 inspired the cult classic feature film of the same name.
Now it’s back – this time as an explosive dance production – Quadrophenia, a Mod Ballet – with a cast of exceptional dancers, introducing new audiences to troubled mod Jimmy’s story, while remaining true in spirit to the much-loved original.
Quadrophenia is steeped in the mythology of the 1960s – sharp suits, soul music, vespas and parkas but its themes of lost youth, rebellion, the search for belonging and hunger for social change are just as urgent today.
A rich, orchestral arrangement of the album by Rachel Fuller and Martin Batchelar, first heard in concert version at The Royal Albert Hall and recorded by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, is the backdrop for this brand-new production.
Choreographer Paul Roberts and Director Rob Ashford bring together some of the UK’s finest creative talent from the worlds of music, theatre, film and dance. With original costumes by renowned British fashion house Paul Smith and Natalie Pryce, projection by Nick Hillel and lighting design by Fabiana Piccioli. The creative team bring new dimensions to the raw energy and emotion of one of the UK’s most iconic rock albums.
“Quadrophenia is the only Who album that I solely composed and produced (1973),” said Pete Townsend. “And the movie that followed in 1979 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. Workshopped in 2023, that thought became a reality and I knew we had something that would resonate with new audiences, and also bring joy, as it had in its other iterations for decades.
“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.”
Rising star Paris Fitzpatrick will perform the iconic lead role of Jimmy. Paris completed his professional dance training at Tring Park School for the Performing Arts. Following graduation in 2015, he spent a year dancing and touring with Northern Ballet before going on to join New Adventures in 2017. He was nominated for The Times Breakthrough Award at the South Bank Sky Arts Awards in 2020, for Outstanding Male Modern Performance at the National Dance Awards 2022, and for Best Male Dancer, and again for Outstanding Male Modern Performance, which he then went on to win at the National Dance Awards 2024.
The role of Mod Girl will be shared by Serena McCall and Taela Yeomans-Brown. Serena McCall graduated from the Rambert School of Ballet and Contemporary Dance in 2023. Taela Yeomans-Brown graduated from Bird College Conservatoire for Dance and Musical Theatre in 2020.
Dan Baines will be playing Ace Face. Dan graduated from Rambert School of Ballet and Contemporary Dance in 2020. During his training he became an apprentice dancer at Balletboyz before going on tour with the company in 2022.
The rest of the company includes, in alphabetical order, Curtis Angus, Jonathon Luke Baker, Will Bozier, Anya Ferdinand, Euan Garrett, Seirian Griffiths, Georges Hann, Tia May Hockey, Dylan Jones, Stuart Neal, Joshua Nkemdilim, Zach Parkin, Amaris Pearl-Gillies, Yasset Roldan, Sam Salter, Pam Pam Sapchartanan, and Kate Tydman.
“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,” said Sir Alistair Spalding CBE, Artistic Director and Co-CEO of Sadler’s Wells.
“Working closely with Pete Townshend and his team and our regular collaborator Universal Music UK we can each bring our particular skills and knowledge to make this classic of The Who’s discography a powerful and meaningful story for our time.”
Tickets for Quadrophenia – A Mod Ballet (Wednesday 18 – Saturday 21 June 2025) are on sale at mayflower.org.uk or 02380 711811.
- In Common is not for profit. We rely on donations from readers to keep the site running. Could you help to support us for as little as 25p a week? Please help us to carry on offering independent grass roots media. Visit: https://www.patreon.com/incommonsoton