Scene: Quadrophenia

On Thursday 10th September all three schools (Brune Park, Brookfield and Portchester) made their way to the Mayflower Theatre in Southampton to attend a rock opera named "Quadrophenia", named after the famous record by the British band The Who.

We arrived at the Mayflower Theatre by coach about a half hour before the performance began. We used this time to buy drinks, food and programmes before finding our seats and relaxing as we awaited for the the performance to start.

From the very beginning of the performance we all noticed that it was very bizarre and unlike anything we'd seen before. It completely blew us away and caused us to ask many questions in the interval and ending when we had a chance to compare notes that we had written down or mentally stored when watching the opera.

The story is set in 1964/65 southern England and features the four alter egos of Jimmy Cooper. The role of Jimmy was being played by four seperate actors who acted out one ego of Jimmy, these being; Jimmy the Romantic, Jimmy the Lunatic, Jimmy the Tough Guy and Jimmy the Hyprocrite.

Quadrophenia is a far more intense performance than what I thought it would be and allows a great array of individuals to show off their vocal talents. Among all unquestionably talented youngsters, Ryan O'Donnell as Jimmy the Romantic especially steals the stage when he shows off his vocal talent and abilities in the all time favourite 'Love Reign O'er Me' when he hits extreme notes and puts all of his energy and compassion into ever word and syllable that he sings out with all of his heart. He steals the stage both visually and vocally, simply taking the breath away from the audience.

All three other Jimmy's are played with complete style as well. George Maguire plays a totally believable Jimmy the Tough Guy, Jack Rock leaves the audience in no doubt as to why he is Jimmy the Lunatic and 'stand in' Daniel Curtis ensures Jimmy the Hypocrite gets his fair share of the limelight. All have quality rock voice and each get a number of chances to prove that.

‘The Girl’ played by Sydney Rae White also gets an opportunity to show off her talents when she performs and exilerating ‘Love Reign O’er Me’ and she produces a performance that would cause any professional

singer to be green with envy.

Ryan Cage is the smoothest of them all in his ‘Ace Face’ role and he certainly ‘struts his stuff’ with the very best, playing the part with real class which makes the audience feel they have been transported back into the original '70s film. Jimmy Wathen belts out ‘The Godfather’s’ numbers in a thick voice that has an undertone quality that fits superbly with his ‘couldn’t care less superstar’ attitude that he plays so well, portraying it both in his acting and his singing. Dressed in an impressive white/silver union flag jacket and matching overcoat he truly shows the audience who's boss.

The story does not wander one bit and the energy and capturement of the audience does not fall one bit, from Act 1 to the final curtain. It truly makes you feel as though you have been transported back to the '60s and are taking part, yet again, in the rivalry between the Mods and the Rockers.

If you like shows with 'true meaning' this is definitely the show for you.