Pete Townshend Celebrates First Rehearsal of Quadrophenia Ballet: “It’s Going to Be Fantastic”

Pete Townshend is filled with anticipation and pride as preparations for Quadrophenia, a Mod Ballet based on The Who’s iconic 1973 album, move forward. In a recent interview with Spain’s RockFM, Townshend revealed that he had attended the first rehearsal earlier this week—and he was thrilled by what he witnessed.

“I find it difficult to collaborate,” Townshend confessed. “I find it very difficult looking in the eyes of another musician… On the other hand, of course, I really, really admire the process of collaboration. I admire the process of dance and music. Quadrophenia is currently being turned into a ballet. We had our first rehearsal on Monday. It’s gonna be fantastic. But I think one of the things about that is that that kind of degree of collaboration is an exploration of the human body, of dancing. With music, I find myself wanting to stay in my box for a while.”

The concept of turning Quadrophenia into a ballet had been in development for some time. In 2023, Townshend’s wife, Rachel Fuller, created an orchestral version of the album, which sparked the idea of a full dance production. Reflecting on the project when it was first announced, Townshend said, “Quadrophenia is the only Who album that I solely composed and produced, and the movie adaptation in 1979 helped launch the careers of some of the finest young actors of that era. When I first heard the orchestral demo, my immediate thought was that it would make for a powerfully rhythmic and emotionally compelling ballet. Once it was workshopped in 2023, it became clear that this could connect with new audiences while maintaining the heart and spirit that made it timeless. The themes of young people navigating difficult times are just as relevant today. It’s going to be poignant, tender, poetic, and epic.”

Initially, Townshend had tempered expectations for the ballet’s development. Speaking to The Times earlier this year, he admitted, “I’ll be honest and say that when it came to the first workshop of the ballet, I wasn’t expecting much. Then I saw it: no rock’n’roll nonsense, no drummer collapsing halfway through the show—just the original message of the piece embodied by the movement of these young dancers. It meant Quadrophenia had another life.”

The ballet is being choreographed by Paul Roberts, a highly respected figure known for his work across a variety of high-profile projects, including Harry Styles’ “Treat People With Kindness” music video, the Spice Girls’ Spiceworld stadium tour, and performances for the Eurovision Song Contest. In the role of Jimmy, the troubled young protagonist of Quadrophenia, will be dancer Paris Fitzpatrick.

Watching Fitzpatrick’s portrayal left a deep emotional impact on Townshend. “I was watching Paris and I cried,” he said. “Not because I related to what he was going through but because he captured it so well.”

With its first successful rehearsal behind it and Townshend’s full support, the Quadrophenia ballet promises to offer a fresh, powerful, and moving interpretation of one of rock’s most enduring and emotionally charged works.