World premiere of Pete Townshend's QUADROPHENIA, A MOD BALLET announced

Photo credit: Johan Persson

Sadler’s Wells and Universal Music UK have announced the world premiere of Quadrophenia, a Mod Ballet.

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.

Quadrophenia, a Mod Ballet will tour to Plymouth Theatre Royal (28 May - 1 June 2025), Edinburgh Festival Theatre (10 - 14 June 2025) and the Mayflower, Southampton (18 - 21 June 2025) before having its official opening at Sadler’s Wells Theatre, London (24 June - 13 July 2025) and then visiting The Lowry, Salford (15 - 19 July 2025).

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.

Rising star Paris Fitzpatrick will perform the iconic lead role of Jimmy. Paris won Outstanding Male Modern Performance for his Romeo in New Adventures’ recent production of Romeo and Juliet at the National Dance Awards earlier this month.

Pete Townshend said: “QUADROPHENIA is the only Who album that I solely composed and produced (1973) 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.”

For more info, please click here.