Paris Fitzpatrick, Serena McCall, Taela Yeomans-Brown and Dan Baines will head the cast of Quadrophenia, a Mod Ballet, a new project backed by Sadler’s Wells and Universal Music UK.
In 1973, The Who guitarist Pete Townshend wrote Quadrophenia and it was recorded by the band, 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 – with a cast of dancers that will introduce new audiences to troubled mod Jimmy’s story while maintaining the 1960s spirit of the much-loved original – sharp suits, soul music, vespas and parkas and themes of lost youth, rebellion, the search for belonging and hunger for social change that are just as urgent today.
Fitzpatrick (Balletboyz) will perform the iconic lead role of Jimmy. The role of Mod Girl will be shared by McCall (Message in a Bottle) and Yeomans-Brown (Wicked). Baines (Balletboyz) will be playing Ace Face.
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.
Casting was led by Will Burton (A Chorus Line, Matilda) from Grindrod & Burton.
Quadrophenia, a Mod Ballet will start its tour at Plymouth Theatre Royal, Edinburgh Festival Theatre and the Mayflower, Southampton, before having its official opening at Sadler’s Wells Theatre, London from June 24 – July 13. It then moves to The Lowry, Salford.
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.
The choreographer is Paul Roberts and the director is Rob Ashford, with assistant choreographer Liam Riddick, original costumes by British fashion house Paul Smith and Natalie Pryce, costume styling by Hannah Teare, set design by Christopher Oram, projection by yeastculture.org and lighting design by Fabiana Piccioli.
Quadraphenia, a Mod Ballet, comes from a partnership between Sadler’s Wells and Universal Music UK.