IT'S probably never going to work as conventional music theatre".

Rarely do you hear someone talk about a new production in such hesitant tones.

But in this case the speaker is certainly overcautious, since it is prolific singer-songwriter Pete Townshend talking about Quadrophenia, the world premiere of the stage version of which opens at the Theatre Royal at the end of next week.

Quadrophenia was the legendary two disc album issued in 1973 by The Who – along with The Beatles and the Rolling Stones one the most prominent UK rock band of the Sixties.

The Who were originally discovered in 1964 playing in a public house in Shepherd's Bush.

Six years later the album became the inspiration for an iconic film, which gave early acting roles to Sting, Phil Daniels, Toyah Wilcox and Ray Winstone.

The music, lyrics and concept were the work of Pete Townshend The Who's guitarist (he played drums, banjo, accordion and several other instruments too).

The new album was more down to earth than his equally legendary Tommy of 1969, rock's first opera.

In essence Quadrophenia was a retrospective on the ideology behind the Mods, tracing the birth and growth to awareness of that movement.

Set in London and Brighton at the height of the volatile Mod era, the narrative traces the coming of age story of Jimmy, looking for his place in the scheme of things and a girl to share it with.

He's stuck in a dead end job, and no one, least of all his parents, seems to understand him.

So, frustrated, off he shoots on a trip to Brighton, never suspecting that that simple action will affect his life forever.

Following the workshopping of the show in Cardiff, which Townshend declared "wonderful", he says he is excited by this new production.

"What is happening now with the Theatre Royal Plymouth feels right-sized on the one hand, but also insanely ambitious for such a tricky piece."

You can judge the measure of his success for yourself when the production opens on May 9 for an extended run until May 16.

For performance details call the box office on 01752 267222 or visit www.theatreroyal.com

Further information on the show is available at www.quadrophenia.co.uk