Latest news with #rockopera
BBC News
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- BBC News
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 ballet, which had its premiere in Plymouth, is touring venues around the UK in June and 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 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 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 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."
Daily Mail
10-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE PETE TOWNSHEND reveals why he wishes he quit The Who DECADES ago - and what he REALLY thinks of Roger Daltrey
He's a rock god, adored by many and worth millions. Yet The Who's Pete Townshend has regrets. 'I always feel I wish I'd left before the band got famous and been an artist,' says the former art school student. 'I think I would have been happier.' This jaw-dropping moment of reflection comes after we've been watching the dancers of Sadler's Wells rehearse a new ballet that is based on his wife Rachel Fuller's orchestration of the rock opera Quadrophenia, written by Pete and released as an album by The Who in 1973. It's the story of Jimmy, a young man having a breakdown during the legendary clashes between Mods and Rockers on Brighton seafront in 1964. And Pete was actually there.
