Quadrophenia

I want to look at this production on two levels…Firstly I want to commend the Director (Andy Osborne) for his unbridled enthusiasm and commitment  in bringing this show to the stage...His tenacious ‘pressure’ was rewarded, not least by Spotlight committee, to ‘allow’ him to bring this controversial piece to  Beccles…Perhaps an unlikely venue for a show only, it seems, performed five times on the World stage! His vision, and yes, his two previous successful shows ‘Tommy’ and ‘Bad Girls’ were well received and created a ground swell of interest, not least The Who music again underpinning the ‘Tommy’ story! Now you DO need a band capable of delivering this score to satisfy the level of expectation of your audience of die hard Who fans. Here we had the stoic commitment of MD (Brian Parker) who armed with only the piano score, signed up a Co- Director (Simon Howe), and between them created the complex incidental music and supporting instrumental parts, no mean feat! They were committed to this task for over three months preceding the actual show! This music and the overall band accompaniment made this show special!  I therefore take this unusual step of naming each band member and include them in this review as truly ‘cast/team’ members! (Keyboards, Brian Parker and Ruth Harrison, Guitars, Simon Howe and Sam Easter, Bass Guitar James Leggett, Drums, Arthur Le Baleur.).

Now this was more than just a show…It was a whole evenings concert for all true fans of ‘Who’ music from the album of the same name…The input and ‘control’ from the author/composer Pete Townsend was both a benefit and a constraint. His vision of this unlikely tale of Mods and Rockers, and of one individuals mental state of mind, was based on the much publicised confrontation in 1963 on Brighton beach interwoven with a statement on drugs and mental illness with a fatal conclusion which still has a message even by today’s standards!

 Spotlight found four lead characters capable of delivering the necessary vocal interpretation of this iconic music. The lead player, Jimmy Cooper (Brad Mercer) gave an outstanding performance both emotionally and vocally as he demonstrated the conflict of his inner egos, Lunatic, Tough and Romantic pitted against his perhaps ‘normal’ persona. These other three ‘mod friends‘ Dave aka Lunatic ego (Dan Hughes), Tough ego (Joe Learner) and Romantic (James Morrison) nicely identified by their identical Parka anoraks (Mod gear!), were the mainstay of the piece. This ‘Quad’ gave really outstanding covers of all the Who’s numbers…complemented by some good attitude in true mod fashion. I will just say that without prior knowledge it was not immediately obvious that this group were actually portraying Jimmy’s troubled mind. His torment was not helped as girlfriend Steph (Natasha Bird) showed her fickle side as she left him in his hour of need for his friend Dave (Dan Hughes). She was every inch the ‘girl of her time’ showing 1960’s style and character …she was matched by good time girl ‘Monkey’ (Louise Abel) who would be happy to ride pillion on anyone’s scooter! This pair of ‘girlfriends’ added a real strength to the company songs…I particularly liked the 5.15 number which gave the whole company the opportunity to show their vocal prowess. Rockers were in short supply but Kev (Baden Aldridge), although outnumbered, sported the leather jacket and led the line in the well choreographed, if a trifle short, melee on Brighton beach. There were other cameos  of note, especially Jimmy’s Mum (Claire Jameson) and Dad (Andy York) who also made the most of his solo song. Also ‘Top’ mod Ace Face (Craig Lovett), was a little under used in this role; but shone in Act two in the ‘Bell Boy’ number and being confronted by Jimmy who showed true grief that his idle had ‘let him down’ by taking such a menial job!

The opening projected scenes to depict the conditions in which Jimmy was conceived and nurtured and the use of iconic scenes throughout worked well. There were many poignant moments, all laced with the constant backing of ‘Who’ music, to quench the thirst of fans and followers alike. The small supporting cast all played their part in the success of this truly moving show.  Well done ‘Young Jimmy’ (Orson Cole) and Jimmy’s Young Dad (Graham Bradford), Mods, Hotel Guests, Concierge and Chorus (Lee Peck, Ellie Cairns, Graham Tomes, Chloe Williams, Paris Jean Marie) completed the line up…A big show from such a small cast!  But to finish, another curtain call for leading man Brad Mercer as Jimmy, a part to cherish, and he did it proud!

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