Rehearsals are underway for new dance production Quadrophenia, a Mod Ballet, which will have its official opening at London’s Sadler’s Wells Theatre as part of a UK tour beginning this month.
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 a cast of exceptional dancers will introduce new audiences to troubled mod Jimmy’s story while remaining true in spirit to the much-loved original.
Quadrophenia, a Mod Ballet is also steeped in the iconography of the 1960s, with sharp suits, soul music, vespas and parkas, as it tackles themes of lost youth, rebellion, the search for belonging and hunger for social change that are just as urgent today.
Quadrophenia, a Mod Ballet will tour to Plymouth Theatre Royal, Edinburgh Festival Theatre and the Mayflower, Southampton, before having its official opening at Sadler’s Wells Theatre, London, playing June 24 – July 13, 2025. It will then visit The Lowry, Salford.
For select performances during the London run, Royal Ballet Principal dancer Matthew Ball joins the company as a guest artist in the role of Godfather. Paris Fitzpatrick will perform the iconic lead role of Jimmy.
The cast of Quadrophenia, a Mod Ballet, also includes Curtis Angus, Dan Baines, Jonathon Luke Baker, Will Bozier, Anya Ferdinand, Paris Fitzpatrick, Euan Garrett, Seirian Griffiths, Zack Guest, Georges Hann, Dylan Jones, Serena McCall, Stuart Neal, Joshua Nkemdilim, Zach Parkin, Amaris Pearl-Gillies, Yasset Roldan, Pam Pam Sapchartanan, Kate Tydman, Jack Widdowson and Taela Yeomans-Brown.
From Sadler’s Wells, Extended Play and Universal Music UK, it is written by Pete Townshend, with choreography from Paul Roberts and direction from Rob Ashford. Orchestration is by Rachel Fuller & Martin Batchelar, video design by YeastCulture, set design by Christopher Oram, costume design by Paul Smith, Natalie Pryce & Hannah Teare, lighting design by Fabiana Piccioli and sound design by David McEwan. Casting is by Will Burton for Grindrod Burton Casting.
Quadrophenia, a Mod Ballet comes to Sadler’s Wells from June 24 – July 13, 2025. Tickets: Quadrophenia
Top image: (C) Richard Lakos (supplied)