Sadler’s Wells and Universal Music UK have announced casting for the world premiere of Quadrophenia, a Mod Ballet.
Promising to be an explosive new dance production, Quadrophenia, a Mod Ballet is based on Pete Townshend’s 1973 hit Quadrophenia, recorded by The Who, and which became a cult movie in 1979.
Quadrophenia, a Mod Ballet will play Sadler’s Wells Theatre in London from 24 June to 13 July 2025. The show also tours to Plymouth Theatre Royal (28 May – 1 June 2025), Edinburgh Festival Theatre (10 – 14 June 2025), Mayflower, Southampton (18 – 21 June 2025) and The Lowry, Salford (15 – 19 July 2025).
The cast of the new dance show will feature rising star Paris Fitzpatrick (Matthew Bourne’s Romeo + Juliet, The Car Man) (he/him) in the lead role of Jimmy; with Serena McCall (Message in a Bottle) (she/her) and Taela Yeomans-Brown (Wicked, Mary Poppins) (they/them) sharing the role of Mod Girl; and Dan Baines (Balletboyz) (he/him) as Ace Face.
The cast also includes 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, with further casting to be announced.
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 is directed by Rob Ashford, and choreographed by Paul Roberts.
Video: Quadrophenia, a Mod Ballet trailer
The creative team also includes Casting by Will Burton, orchestral arrangements of the album by Rachel Fuller and Martin Batchelar, assistant choreographer Liam Riddick, original costumes by 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.
Quadrophenia, a Mod Ballet is running at Sadler’s Wells Theatre in London from 24 June to 13 July 2025
More about tickets to Quadrophenia, a Mod Ballet at Sadler’s Wells Theatre London and touring
What They Said
Pete Townshend said in a statement: “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. It’s going to be poignant, tender and poetic and epic.”
Sir Alistair Spalding CBE, Artistic Director and Co-CEO of Sadler’s Wells, said: “It’s an honour for Sadler’s Wells to be a collaborator and lead producer of this unique production. Quadrophenia is a story crying out to be told through dance and with this talented creative team we can be sure that we can achieve its full potential. Working closely with Pete Townshend and his team and our regular collaborator Universal Music UK we can each bring our particular skills and knowledge to make this classic of The Who’s discography a powerful and meaningful story for our time.”
David Joseph, Chairman & CEO of Universal Music UK, said: “When Rachel and Pete came to me with the idea of a Quadrophenia ballet with extraordinary new arrangements, it was probably one of the easiest ‘we’re in’ moments I’ve had. We’ve had a long-standing relationship with Alistair and the Sadler’s Wells team so they were the obvious next call, and they just got it immediately. Our only conditions for this project were artistic and creative excellence, which each partner has delivered in abundance. Finally, I must thank Paul Roberts, whose genius has lifted the whole production into something we are all so proud of.”
Choreographer Paul Roberts said: “Quadrophenia has already inspired me so much, bringing its legacy forward and discovering its voice in movement created so much emotive energy and passion every time we entered the workshop room. I know that taking our next big step into rehearsals will stimulate so much more excitement and our generous, brilliant, madly talented young cast offer nothing but vitality to this iconic story. I can’t wait!”
Director Rob Ashford said: “I’m excited at the idea of art forms evolving and emerging into new territory. That’s certainly what’s happening with Quadrophenia. I’m thrilled to collaborate with these brilliant artists on this dance/theatre piece. The music is timeless in its orchestral form and makes the perfect backdrop as we tell the story of Jimmy, and evoke a world of Mods and Rockers.”
More about tickets to Quadrophenia, a Mod Ballet at Sadler’s Wells Theatre London and touring
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