Production images have been released of Pete Townshend’s Quadrophenia, a Mod Ballet ahead of its arrival at Lowry in in July
Sadler’s Wells and Universal Music UK present
PETE TOWNSHEND’S
QUADROPHENIA, A MOD BALLET
Production images have been released by Sadlers Wells and Universal Music UK for the world premiere of Pete Townshend’s Quadrophenia, a Mod Ballet, which comes to Lowry in in July.
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 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 (he/him) 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. During his time with New Adventures, Paris’ work includes originating the role of Romeo in Matthew Bourne's Romeo + Juliet (UK Tour, 2019), creating the role of Bob in The Midnight Bell (UK Tour, 2021), Angelo in The Car Man (Royal Albert Hall 2022), Carabosse/Caradoc and Count Lilac in Sleeping Beauty (UK and International Tour 2022/23), and most recently reprising the role of Romeo in Romeo + Juliet (UK and International Tour 2023/24). Paris toured with BalletBoyz in 2022. 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 (she/her) and Taela Yeomans-Brown (they/them). Serena McCall graduated from the Rambert School of Ballet and Contemporary Dance in 2023. She portrayed Roxanne the Sadler’s Wells/Universal Music UK co-production Message in a Bottle during the North American and Canadian tour, choreographed by five-time Olivier Award nominee Kate Prince to music by Sting. She can also be seen in the Wicked movie, directed by Jon M. Chu with choreography by Christopher Scott, as well as Disney’s live-action Snow White, directed by Marc Webb and choreographed by Mandy Moore. Taela Yeomans-Brown graduated from Bird College Conservatoire for Dance and Musical Theatre in 2020. Most recently, they served as Swing and Dance Captain in Wicked at the Apollo Victoria Theatre, following roles in Mary Poppins at the Prince Edward Theatre and The Lion King at the Lyceum Theatre.
Dan Baines (he/him) 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. Since his graduation, Dan has worked with many choreographers, directors and creatives including Tim Burton, Dua Lipa, Damien Jalet, Christopher Bruce, Akram Khan, Matthew Bourne, Maxine Doyle, Corey Baker, Tom Dale, Tom Jackson Greaves, Arlene Phillips and James Cousins.
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, Pam Pam Sapchartanan, and Kate Tydman.
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."
Quadrophenia, a Mod Ballet
Writer Pete Townshend
Choreographer Paul Roberts
Director Rob Ashford
Orchestration Rachel Fuller and Martin Batchelar
Costume Design Paul Smith, Natalie Pryce
Projection Nick Hillel
Lighting Design Fabiana Piccioli