Pete Townshend performed in the world premiere of Rachel Fuller’s new musical production of The Seeker, which took place at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane in London last Wednesday, 6th November.
The show was a one night only event that was staged at the beautifully renovated theatre to promote the 7th November release of The Seeker album and illustrated book, which is now available at theseekermusic.com. The album is also up on various music streaming services, so be sure and check it out!
The Seeker is based on Herman Hesse’s book Siddhartha about self discovery and enlightenment, which was published in 1922. Pete’s wife Rachel has reimagined the story with a wonderful collection of songs to tell the tale of Siddhartha’s spiritual journey.
The music on the Seeker includes brand new songs composed by Rachel, and newly arranged orchestral versions of Pete’s older songs, some with reworked lyrics to fit the story. There are a couple of Who songs (The Seeker and Bargain), and three solo songs from his Scoop albums (The Ferryman, which has been split into Parts 1 & 2, Praying the Game, which has been renamed to Awakening, and I Like It the Way It Is). There are also some of Rachel’s older tunes that have been updated, such as Without Your Love that was featured on her 2005 webcast series In The Attic, and Lament that was on Rachel’s 2004 album Cigarettes and Housework.
At the show, Pete played the role of the Ferryman, joining Nakhane as Siddhartha, Layton Williams as Govinda, Alfie Boe as Siddhartha’s father, Sunidhi Chauhan as Kamala, Yolanda as the River, and Idriss Kargbo as Siddhartha’s son. They performed twenty four songs, backed by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and the Chamber Choir of London with Robert Ziegler conducting. In between the songs, the story was narrated by an audio recording of the late Christopher Plummer. The artwork from the illustrated book of The Seeker was projected on a large screen in back of the performers to help tell the story.
Pete appeared four times in the show, first to introduce the production, then later to perform the songs The Ferryman Parts 1 & 2. He joined the full cast at the end for the grand finale song (This Is Love) and stage bow. Rachel Fuller and orchestrator Martin Batchelor joined them on stage, and flowers were presented to Rachel, Sunidhi, and Yolanda.
The show was followed by an aftershow party in the Grand Saloon bar for the performers and special guests.
Congratulations to Rachel Fuller and Pete Townshend for the successful launch of The Seeker!
For more information, please visit theseekermusic.com.
Many thanks to everyone who contributed photos, videos and reviews!
Photo credit: Stefani Cushing
Video credit: Melissa and Gary Hurley
Photo credit: Stefani Cushing
Photo credit: Melissa and Gary Hurley
Photo credit: Melissa and Gary Hurley
Photo credit: Stefani Cushing
Video credit: Melissa and Gary Hurley
The official recording of The Ferryman Part 1
Photo credit: Stefani Cushing
Photo credit: Stefani Cushing
Photo credit: Ian Mclean
Photo credit: Melissa and Gary Hurley
Video credit: Melissa and Gary Hurley
Photo credit: Melissa and Gary Hurley
Photo credit: Stefani Cushing
Photo credit: Melissa and Gary Hurley
Video credit: Linda Wellington
Photo credit: David Stark
Photo credit: Stefani Cushing
Video credit: Melissa and Gary Hurley
Photo credit: Stefani Cushing
Photo credit: Melissa and Gary Hurley
Video credit: Melissa and Gary Hurley
Photo credit: Melissa and Gary Hurley
Video credit: Melissa and Gary Hurley
Photo credit: David Stark
Photo credit: David Stark
Video credit: Linda Wellington
Photo credit: Ian Mclean
Photo credit: Simon Malia
Photo credit: Simon Malia
Photo credit: Stefani Cushing
Photo credit: Stefani Cushing
Photo credit: Melissa and Gary Hurley
Photo credit: Melissa and Gary Hurley
Photo credit: Melissa and Gary Hurley
Photo credit: Melissa and Gary Hurley
Photo credit: David Stark
Photo credit: Melissa and Gary Hurley
Photo credit: Melissa and Gary Hurley
Photo credit: Melissa and Gary Hurley
Photo credit: Simon Malia
Photo credit: Simon Malia
Photo credit: Ian Mclean
Photo credit: Stefani Cushing
Review by Simon Malia
Pete Townshend first raised the subject of his interest in the Herman Hesse novel of Siddhartha when he issued the third in his ‘Scoop’ series of demos. The song called ‘The Ferryman’ referred to a key episode within the story, when the questing central character journeys across the river and onto his ultimate fate. It’s a lovely piece.
Now Pete’s wife Rachel Fuller has taken up the Siddhartha story, setting it to her orchestrations of original material mixed with adaptations of some of Pete’s songs.
So, she’s apparently been working on this project, ‘The Seeker’, for several years.
It’s now been launched into the public arena as a multimedia ‘event’. There’s a hardback book which contains Rachel’s potted overview of the Hesse novel, illustrated by the artist Emilia Wharfe. It’s basically a stylish graphic novel. Then there’s the music, available as a double album (on vinyl, and other formats, I think).
And, crucially, there was this stand-alone live performance, in the swish and opulent setting of the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, literally around the corner from the Royal Opera House.
West End Wendy Heaven, in other words!
The performance more-or-less took the form of an opera oratorio: ie a full orchestra on stage (in this case, no less than the Royal London Philharmonic) with narration provided by the pre-recorded voice of the late Christopher Plummer (Captain Von Trapp to those of us of a certain vintage, which included most of the audience).
The songs depicting the story were sung by cast members:
The key role of Siddhartha by an artist called Nakhane, Siddhartha’s love partner, Kamala, by Bollywood star Sunidhi Chauhan, Siddhartha’s lifelong friend Govinda by Layton Williams, his father by stage stalwart Alfie Boe, The Ferryman by Mr Townshend himself, the voice of The River by modern chanteuse Yola, and Siddhartha’s son by Idriss Kargbo.
And therein lay the central issues. Some of these individuals have fine voices, but not all have the experience and ability needed to project that voice with sufficient clarity and strength to carry (largely unfamiliar) lyrics to the ear of the audience.
Nakhane has a more than decent voice, but seemed overwhelmed by both the sheer volume of the orchestra and the occasion.
Nonetheless, there was a lot to enjoy. Personally, I thought the orchestration was pretty good, with the RLPO in decent form and the small choir in fine voice.
Pete did well with his vocals (often speak-singing) as The Ferryman. Sunidhi Chauhan was very good as the saucy and sophisticated love interest Kamala. Alfie Boe was Alfie Boe, but Yola stole the show with powerhouse vocals as the voice of The River.
Interesting, if slightly underwhelming, adaptations of Bargain and The Seeker. Beautiful use of the illustrations from the book as visuals and the narrative by the late Christopher Plummer drew the story together well. Seemed surprisingly well rehearsed (although Pete needed a few nudges and cues here and there).
The theatre is absolutely gorgeous - one of the finest I’ve ever visited.
I enjoyed meeting up with Who friends old and new (an especial ‘thank you’ to Stef Cushing here) before, after, and on the following morning too.
Good to see familiar faces.
I still haven’t played the record yet, but I very much enjoyed the show. Far, far more than ‘Classic Quadrophenia’. The difference? We’re all very familiar with Quadrophenia in its various guises; for me, the original Who album was, and is, a life-changing touchstone.
While I read Hesse’s novel many decades ago, it hasn’t resonated down the years as deeply. So I was much more open and receptive to an adaptation and to hear it in a different setting. It’s a Rachel Fuller project, with some Pete Townshend material in the mix. For me, it was a lovely night of musical theatre that could’ve been better with stronger voices, but could have been far, far worse. Pretentious? Absolutely, but most artists strive to make us suspend disbelief and join them in seeing / hearing their creation. Few succeed totally; this was a brave try.
I’d go and see it again if it is ever revived. However, I suspect it may have been a very expensive ‘vanity project’ which will join ‘The Iron Man’ in the afterlife of theatre ghosts – close, but not quite.
Review by Melissa and Gary Hurley
The Seeker by Pete Townshend and Rachel Fuller Townshend world premiere. The show was totally different than any WHO show or theatrical show, on or by the band. The Seeker was based on Herman Hesse’s Siddhartha and it was in par with the original book.
It was very strange being in a lush theatre and surrounded by fellow Who fans from far and wide. We all walked out of the theatre scratching our heads in total confusion over the last two hours. Twenty four songs had been performed. The Royal Philharmonic orchestra and the Chamber Choir of London were flawless and conducted by Robert Ziegler.
Apart from Pete Townshend as the Ferryman, there was six other musicians. Nakhane was Siddhartha, Sunidhi Chauhan as Kamala, Layton Williams as Govinda, good ole Alfie Boe as Siddhartha’s father, Yolanda as the River, Idriss Kargbo as Siddhartha’s son.
As for the production itself. It’s like the Marmite advert- either you love it or hate it.
The vocals from all the performers were difficult to hear the lyrics being sung. A libretto was definitely needed, although the Seeker book had the words.
As for Nakhane as Siddhartha, his voice is so beautiful but, not strong enough for this role. He was going into character whilst other performers were performing with him on stage. Sunidhi is amazing. She had such love and was vigorous for her role as a lover. Layton was amazing! He has such talent, his voice was flawless. He should have been Siddhartha! Alfie was on his usual par. He is such a Muso! Yola was as large as life! She battered out the vocals and she actually portrayed the river so perfectly. Idriss, we couldn’t hear the lyrics once again. His singing was too soft.
Pete seemed nervous and hyper at the same time. He definitely was out of his comfort zone! His vocals were perfect but, alas Who style vocals! He was looking for prompts from Robert Ziegler. Next time he needs to iron his clothing too!
The stage was illuminated with lighting from side stage and was bright as it was being filmed. A screen projected images from the book as the back drop. The late Christopher Plummer was the narrator.
The finale of the evening, which was Time is Love, featured all the guest singers. Beautiful bouquet of flowers had been given out. Pete kissed Rachel. The audience all stood up with applause.
This performance wasn’t about Pete nor Rachel. This was about Herman Hesse’s story of finding enlightenment.
Review by Alan McKendree
The Seeker is a musical presentation of Hermann Hesse’s 1922 novel Siddhartha, arranged for orchestra and vocalists.
The novel is set in India and traces a young upper-class man in his quest for enlightenment and wisdom. He starts by forsaking his family connections and wealth to become an itinerant wanderer; later, he falls in love and becomes a worldly businessman in order to win his love’s favor. After many years, he realizes his earthly success has led him to abandon his quest for enlightenment, and once again strips himself of his material goods to become a humble ferryman, eventually attaining enlightenment through meditation on the lessons of the river.
Any orchestral composition poses an awesome challenge, and telling a story as well doubles the difficulty. Ms Fuller meets the challenge admirably, composing nearly two dozen original songs as well as incorporating and reworking selected Townshend originals at times, notably “The Seeker,” which was released in 1970 as both a solo and Who track.
The orchestra was set up midstage, with two or three microphones, as needed, set in front. Vocalists walked on to sing their parts, then off until needed again. The costumes generally reflected Indian themes, with the male characters wearing tunics of rich fabrics in subdued tones, and the females wearing beautiful traditional saris or evening gowns. Pete, as The Ferryman, varied from this scheme in wearing a salmon-colored, rumpled jacket over cream-colored trousers.
The melodies were generally ethereal, meandering, reflecting Siddhartha’s quest. The voices were uniformly strong and pleasing, with Yola singing the part of The River being a particular standout. Perhaps it was a result of my seat location, but I had difficulty understanding the lyrics, except for those Pete and Yola sang. The singers exerted themselves to present the emotional aspects of their songs, considering the plot events of each particular moment.
The entire story was effectively accompanied by illustrations on a large upstage screen. They were in an appealing cartoon style, usually moving in some way or another, sometimes lightly animated and all based around the salmon theme color of the production.
This was an extraordinary cast, assembled to present a thoughtful and thought-provoking interpretation of a classic of Western literature.
More information on The Seeker-related recordings, book, music samples and podcast may be found at theseekermusic.com
