Quadrophenia Set to Rock Scots

Pete Townshend’s legendary rock opera Quadrophenia is to being brought to the stage for the first time, appearing across Scotland at the Festival Theatre, Edinburgh (26 to 30 May 2009), King’s Theatre, Glasgow (02 to 06 June 2009) and His Majesty’s Theatre, Aberdeen (18 to 22 August 2009).

Set in London and Brighton at the height of the Mod era, Quadrophenia is told through the eyes of Jimmy, a hedonistic style conscious teenager searching for a place to belong and a girl to love. Misunderstood by his parents and stuck in a dead end job, he sets off on a trip to Brighton that will change his life forever.

The coming of age story is brought to life in this original stage adaptation of the legendary album. The evocative world of 60’s Britain provides a colourful backdrop to Jimmy’s journey with Townshend’s score capturing the excitement of a nation on the brink of change. The show aims to document a culturally significant moment in Britain, the influences of which are still seen today in music and fashion.

Pete Townshend commented: “It’s taken a long time, and a lot of wrangling to accept that Quadrophenia is probably never going to work as conventional music theatre. So I hope for a grand and chaotic explosion of music and chorus that revives the memories of being young in the ’60s, but also brings those memories to life in the 21st century. “

The album “Quadrophenia” was released by The Who in 1973 followed by the iconic film in 1979. Rolling Stone magazine and VH1 have named it one of the 100 Greatest Albums of All Time. The film, which became a cult hit, was directed by Franc Roddam and, starring Sting, Phil Daniels, Leslie Ash, Toyah Wilcox and a young Ray Winstone; it captured the tense and at times violent atmosphere in the UK in the mid 1960s.

This new adaptation of the album is directed by Tom Critchley and features a cast led by four young actors who will share the role of Jimmy: Ryan O’Donnell (Jimmy – Romantic), Jack Roth (Jimmy – Lunatic), George Maguire (Jimmy – Tough Guy) and Rob Kendrick (Jimmy – Hypocrite).

– Joseph Pike