London Calling with Champagne Charlie: Jeff Young on Writing QUADROPHENIA

Taking a break from rehearsals, Jeff Young stepped aside to let BroadwayWorld know a little more about how QUADROPHENIA is being stages and its origins and transfer from disc, to page to stage.

As its writer he has been intimately involved with the whole process for over 5 years and like the entire team is keen to make it a success. In this candid interview he reveals the ups and downs of that journey.

Champagne Charlie
How long has the 'journey' - work wise taken in time from 'page to stage' with regards to your involvement in Quadrophenia?

Jeff Young
Since first meeting Tom Critchley in 1993 we had talked about making a stage version of Quadrophenia. Since about 2000 we have worked on and off on an adaptation. This has taken various forms. At one point we assembled a scrap book of images and I wrote a book of poems inspired by Q. In 2007 we finally staged a workshop production. The current staging has been developed over a period of about two years.

Champagne Charlie
What was your 1st impression on hearing it just as an album and seeing it (if you did) - as a film?

Jeff Young
I first heard the album in detention in 1973. There was quite an insirational teacher who used to bring records in to play to bored teenage boys. One week he brought in John Coltrane's Giant Steps. The next week he brought in Quadrophenia and played the whole thing. We were awestruck. He let me take it home at the end of the school day and I was immersed in its world.  I saw the film when it was first released and haven't seen it since. I love the album - the film doesn't really figure in my life.

Champagne Charlie
Many songs were recorded for the original album, have you just used those or included yet unheard track?

Jeff Young
We have used all the album songs and have included other songs from The Who repertoire such as I Can't Explain. We believe these inserted songs enhance our story.

Champagne Charlie
How have you adapted it into a theatrical experience?

Jeff Young
The script is told purely visually. The storyline is inspired by the songs, the album sleeve, the photos included in the album and Pete's sleeve short story. Our Quadrophenia is 'sung through' and all the narrative is told through music, lyrics, visually poetic imagery and choreographed movement.

Champagne Charlie
How did you first get involved with Pete, Radio 3 and on the Lifehouse Chronicles box set?

Jeff Young
In 1999 I worked with Pete on the adaptation of his 'lost work' Lifehouse for BBC Radio 3 and the Lifehouse Chronicles box set.

Champagne Charlie
How will it differ as a theatrical experience from Tommy - the musical?

Jeff Young
I have never seen Tommy but I believe we are presenting something closer in spirit to the poetic heart and soul of Pete's original Quadrophenia vision.

Champagne Charlie
In what way do you feel the themes of the album and film are relevant now?

Jeff Young
The rites of passage journey of a teenage boy is timeless. Jimmy is a confused kid looking for answers, looking for a way to live his life. He gets in all kinds of scrapes , falls in love, wants to belong to a gang, hero worships another boy, loves and hates his mum and dad, gets bombed out of his head on drink and drugs. The Greek tragedies tell stories like this, so does Shakespeare, so does East Enders. It will always be relevant as long as there are teenage boys.

Champagne Charlie
How closely has Pete been involved in the writing?

Jeff Young
Pete has been very supportive and trusting. We have taken some risks with new story developments and Pete has given his blessing. Sometimes he has given his blessing even when he has expressed caution at our intentions. But he knows we are telling a theatricalised interpretation of his work and to hear his comments on the script and on the rehearsal process is always fascinating and rewarding. The writing itself is my own 'vision' of Pete's work with great input from Tom and from John O'Hara. Bill Sculz the producer has also commented and constructively criticised. Pete questions and prods and lets us off the leash like mongrels.

Champagne Charlie
How long has it taken to complete the script?

Jeff Young
This current version has probably taken five or more years in various incarnations. Since we got the go ahead for this tour eighteen months ago we have worked on it constantly.

Champagne Charlie
How different will your leading man be from Phil Daniel's depiction of the hero?

Jeff Young
We have four 'leading men' - four Jimmy's. All of them are unique but all of them probably have some similarities with Phil Daniels in that they are rough edged, charismatic and ever so slightly dangerous.

Champagne Charlie
What is the enduring appeal of the album and its subject matter?

Jeff Young
It is a great work of art. It is about all of us. Mothers and fathers will recognise their sons; girls will recognise the boy who moons around after her, boys will recognise themselves, their best mate, and the kid they hate. He's every boy. He will endure.

Champagne Charlie
You have done a lot of live / recorded work at locations...what was your most challenging piece

Jeff Young
My most challenging piece was working in a massive disused power station in Swan Hunter shipyard in Newcastle. I worked with musicians, artists, choreographers, lighting designers and hundreds of local school children to make a piece of work about the death of a city. It was called The Nest of Spices and it was an epically beautiful poem for which The Audience traipsed through fields of coal and the bowels of hell. An actor died of a heart attack during a performance. I thought I would never work again but here I am now still at it.

Champagne Charlie
What are your future plans for Quadrophenia?

Jeff Young
I hope the coming tour will be a huge success and that we will learn from the tour how to make Quadrophenia even better, even more powerful and resonant. Then I hope it goes on to a second tour, hopefully to Europe and America. It's not beyond the bounds of possibility but it will only happen if we make a show that deserves it. Sometimes I think we are nearly there - sometimes I think it's as far away as the moon. But I remain optimistic - which is very rare for a gloomy soul like me.

Champagne Charlie
And for you as a writer

Jeff Young
I want to either retire or to keep on making work with like minded souls. I have a film in development and I want to see that on the big screen at the Liverpool Philharmonic Hall. That would be a dream come true. I also want to finish the album I am making with my best mate Pete Wylie. One day I would like to finish the 'Great Liverpool Novel' but I haven't even started it yet so don't hold your breath.

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