Quad 40

Palace Pier, Brighton seafront

Sunday, August 25

IN 1979 a film was released that has since become a cult classic, synonymous with the seaside.

Now, to celebrate 40 years since its release, the cast will be heading to Brighton for a big party.

Quadrophenia is a film beloved by people across the country.

Since its release it has become a symbol for mod culture and of course The Who, whose music sets the scene.

The film was loosely based on The Who’s rock opera of the same name and featured now well-known names such as Sting, Phil Daniels and Toyah.

Next week, over the August Bank Holiday, the cast of the film will be reuniting for a party at Horatio’s Bar on the Palace Pier.

The film was set in the summer of 1964 and was mainly filmed in Sussex, with Eastbourne and Brighton featuring heavily.

Every year hundreds of film lovers descend on the city, which is considered the spiritual home of mods, to pay tribute to what is now considered not just two hours of entertainment but a way of life.

At the time of its release reviews were mixed but now it has become about much more than critical acclaim, with those who follow it considering it almost gospel-like.

Actor Gary Shail, who plays Spider in the film and is running the Quad 40 event, is just one of the stars who will be at the Palace Pier for the celebration.

And he is looking forward to seeing his former co-stars and meeting fans.

He said: “Over the last few years we’ve done a few minor events in Brighton, along with the big screen, but this year as it’s such a big anniversary we thought we should have a party.

“We’ll be partying from midday until midnight.

“The great thing for us is that Brighton is a spiritual home for Quadrophenia.

“You can go round Brighton and look round all the sights and places the film was set.

“You have Quadrophenia Alley and people have really taken the film to their hearts.

“From a Brighton point of view that one square mile down by the seafront is where everything happened, it’s part of British history. We all love it down there. Every time we come down so many people come out to see us.

“I think the film has done so much for the city, just like the city did for us.”

Gary will be joined by fellow Quadrophenia stars Leslie Ash, who played Steph, and Trevor Laird, who took on the role of Ferdy.

Gary, now 59, said the reaction the three stars and other big names who featured in the film have had over the past 40 years is something they could have never seen coming.

He said: “When we were filming I was only 19 so you just think it’s a nice place to come for a week.

“You would never have been able to imagine the film was going to be the hit it was.

“As teenagers we just thought it was a laugh, but we didn’t realise how culturally significant it was.

“As a young actor you just think you’re making a film.

“In retrospect we now know how important it was.

“We almost destroyed East Street and none of us thought the film would last this long.

“Obviously it has and it’s great to know that people in the city have made it part of their history.

“To be part of that is a great thing.”

There will be a host of bands on throughout the day, adding a musical backdrop to the occasion, as well as meet and greet, signing and Q&A sessions for ticket holders.

Tickets for the day of partying cost £95, with the £150 VIP and £55 early bird tickets already sold out, but Gary promises that it will be well worth the admission fee.

He said: “What I really wanted was to do something for the fans.

“It’s not a cheap day out but we have five bands, most of the cast, Q&As and directors from the film will be giving talks.

“There will be thousands of people there and we wanted to celebrate properly.

“It’s great music and a throwback to the times when we weren’t worrying about things like Brexit.

“People can have a good day out, enjoy themselves, and this could be once in a lifetime.”

As well as the 12-hour party at Horatio’s, the stars of Quadrophenia will also be awarded a spot on the Brighton Walk of Fame – also on the Palace Pier.

The ceremony will take place between 10am and 11am and give the film a permanent spot in the city for fans to admire.

Gary said it was a “great honour” to be given “pride of place” on the pier in recognition of the success the film has had.

Forty years is a long time to have left a mark and Gary said this year was the perfect time to celebrate before age gets the best of the cast.

He said: “We’ll all be a bit older come the 50th anniversary so this could be the last chance we all get to be together.”