Quadrophenia opened in Bath

Scooter enthusiasts rolled into Bath this week to celebrate the arrival of a period musical based on the popular machines.

Around 45 riders of all ages brought their prized possessions to the city centre ahead of the opening night of rock opera Quadrophenia: The Musical at the Theatre Royal.

The show tells a coming-of-age story set against the backdrop of the 1960s in Brighton and London with a soundtrack written by Who guitarist Pete Townshend.

Long time scooter fan Euan Barker travelled more than 80 miles from Devon on his iconic Lambretta to lead a procession through Bath.

The 42-year-old has followed his passion for scooters for 30 years and said the album Quadrophenia and the subsequent film created a culture of fans united by a love for the fashion and music that went hand in hand with the movement.


The father-of-four said: "It means a lot to people.

"Quadrophenia is a story about growing up and people in their teenage years.



"Its not just about scooters, and everybody can relate to growing up.

"Some people in Bath have some really nice original 1960s scooters in fantastic condition and they look brilliant."

Father-of-three Stewart Sheppard was in the procession and brought his Lambretta SX 200 CC which he bought secondhand for £144 in a shop in Bath in 1973.

The 53-year-old consigned his bike to the depths of his garage in 1979 but dug it out in 2000 after his children left home and spent around £2,500 restoring it to its former glory.

Mr Sheppard said: "In the early 1970s, teenage boys were not really interested in cars and we only wanted motorbikes and scooters.

"That was what the girls wanted.

"If you had a scooter or motorbike they were willing to ride with you."

Quadrophenia opened at the Theatre Royal on Tuesday and now runs until Sunday as part of a major UK tour.


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