Pete Townshend's Quadrophenia mod ballet on tour
Musician Pete Townshend says he believes a new ballet version of his rock opera Quadrophenia will "resonate with new audiences".The co-founder of The Who is backing Quadrophenia, a Mod Ballet – based on his own music and the subsequent film about mods and rockers clashing in 1960s Brighton.The ballet, which had its premiere in Plymouth, is touring venues around the UK in June and July.Townshend told BBC South East that he thought the story of rebellion and youth culture would make a "powerfully rhythmic and emotionally engaging ballet".
"The themes of young people growing up in difficult times are still so relevant," he said."It's going to be tender, poignant, poetic and epic."More than 1,000 youths fought each other between 16 and 18 May 1964 in Brighton, in scenes which were later immortalised in Quadrophenia.The rock opera was released in 1973, and the 1979 film, starring Sting, Ray Winstone, Phil Daniels, Toyah Willcox and Leslie Ash was set around the East Sussex city.Townshend added: "Brighton has always been something special. It has a great history all of its own."
The orchestration for the production was written by Townshend's wife Rachel Fuller.He said: "When I've written rock operas, I've always felt they were there to be exploited and changed."This ballet went into workshop with Sadler's Wells and it has landed really well. I was deeply touched by it."We're bringing rock music ethics into the ballet world."
The ballet is backed by instrumental music recorded by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra."It was amazing to see people working with my music who were so young," Townshend added."This is a different take on the perennial story of a young man struggling in life to find meaning."Quadrophenia really is my baby and I'm so pleased what we managed to achieve with it."
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