Theatre

Pete Townshend talks Quadrophenia premiere at Theatre Royal Plymouth (interview)

30th April 2009

It is some 36 years since Pete Townshend wrote his rock opus Quadrophenia - heading to the stage for the first time at the Theatre Royal Plymouth on May 9.

“I am the old bloke who talks too much and falls in love with every single member of the cast, male and female,” he said.

“I am involved, of course, but I am trying to keep out of the way. This is a fresh interpretation of the music and, having already fallen in love with the new cast, I am certain they will bring new life and new angles to the story.

He added: “We are hoping for a new kind of musical — that is probably dangerous, but that is what we want.”

Peter Dennis Blandford Townshend was born on May 19, 1945, in Chiswick, London.

And when the mods and rockers came, “I was a mod, no question about it” he said.

“The other three guys in The Who were not.

“My best friend at art college, Nick Bartlett, and his older brother Tim were the sharpest mods I came across, I hung out with them as much as I could.

“The thing is that anyone could be a mod. You didn’t need to be working class. I once hung out with a group of mods in Brighton with a girl, and we slept under the pier and chased rockers.

“The rest of the band had gone home. I wanted to feel a part of something, I always have. The mods allowed me that. When I went out clubbing in Soho, dancing I came across some of the Faces of the day. Phil the Greek, Julie Driscoll, Rod Stewart, David Bowie, Marc Bolan, Micky Tenner, Sandie Sargent and, of course, the Small Faces themselves.

“I was always close to the greatest Face of them all, Peter Meaden, and if The Who hadn’t got in the way I would have embraced the mod movement far more deeply.

“But my position on the stage allowed me a good view of what was going on.

“I became someone who gave a voice to some of those mods.

“But I was a part of what was happening. When LSD hit London I moved on, like so many others.”

Pete Townshend developed into one of those all-rounders, rock guitarist, singer, songwriter, composer, and writer, but is principally known as the guitarist and songwriter for The Who.

His career with The Who spans more than 40 years, during which time the band grew to be considered one of the most-influential bands of the rock era, in addition to being ‘possibly the greatest live band ever’.

They are touring Australia and New Zealand this spring, but, 40 years on, he says he still doesn’t like touring.

“I’m really happy to be going to Australia and New Zealand, but performing is not something I enjoy the way everyone around me does, and I don’t get from it what I probably should.

“I don’t like touring or performing, never have really. But I am very good at it, and I find it easy.

“But I do get a lot of fulfilment from playing these days; I enjoy playing the electric guitar with our present band. I discover new things all the time.

“The best thing about the next tour is that we will be playing to new audiences.

“The other good part is that I love the guys in the band, their women, and our amazing crew. It’s a circus family of the best possible kind.

“The rest of the year I am writing, working on Quadrophenia, and I have no other plans.

“The Who get lots of offers at the moment, and many of them are very attractive and exciting. But I need to write, and these days it takes me a long time to do what I have to do.”

Writing is his thing, being the primary songwriter for the Who, writing more than 100 songs for the band’s 11 studio albums, including the rock operas Tommy and Quadrophenia and the well-regarded rock radio staple Who’s Next, plus dozens more that appeared as non-album singles, bonus tracks on reissues, and tracks on rarities compilations such as Odds and Sods.

He has also written more than 100 songs for his solo albums and rarities compilations.

Writing Quadrophenia has been very much a labour of love.

Set in London and Brighton at the height of the mod era, it 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.

“I sat in the casting sessions quietly, somewhat stunned at how wonderful it all was,” he said.

“To hear my songs sung by new young people is a thrill. I enjoy working in music theatre and have a huge amount of experience now. I feel at ease, and a part of the team. It is humbling and exciting at the same time.

“The film is not something I see as a part of my personal creative thesis, but there is a sequel being developed at the moment within The Who managerial camp.

“I am not a part of that process either and I doubt there will be any new music from me.

“One thing is certain, in my original book Jimmy did not die at the end of the story, but I have no idea what happened to him.

“Any sequel will have to make a huge and arrogant leap to decide what happens to him and I hope it doesn’t spoil our individual fantasies about what Jimmy might have done when he got off that rock in the rain.“

And it is hoped that the new production will convey the story to a whole new audience.

However, that comes with its own new problems.

“The young cast members all said they felt a connection with the issues it embraces. But then they would, wouldn’t they?” he said.

“My concern is that mod old-timers might get too caught up in what they believe to be the fine details.

“We are not trying to recreate the mod world. In fact, a lot of modern mods get it badly wrong.

“Mods rarely wore parkas except when on a scooter – that’s just an example.

“Today, young people show up at Who concerts wearing parkas.

“That’s fine for today, and we need to let the past go.

“What I want new and existing fans to do is respond to the story as it told today and to try to find something in the show that enriches their lives today. I also hope they have a great time.”

The compelling coming of age story is brought to life in this original stage adaptation of the legendary album.

The evocative world of 1960s Britain provides a colourful backdrop to Jimmy’s journey.

Pete Townshend’s score captures the excitement of a nation on the brink of change.

Quadrophenia documents a culturally significant moment in Britain, the influences of which are still seen today in music and fashion.

The story takes a snapshot of one of the most interesting and energising times for pop culture in Britain.

“I am excited about this new production,” he said.

“Its genesis in workshop in Cardiff was wonderful, and what is happening now with the Theatre Royal Plymouth feels right-sized on the one hand, but also insanely ambitious for such a tricky piece.

“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 1960s, but also brings those memories to life in the 21st century.”

For performance details call the box office on 01752 267222 or visit www.theatreroyal.com

Further information on the show is available at www.quadrophenia.co.uk

JONPAUL HEDGE

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