Clean Living Under Difficult Circumstances

If you have an interest in the history of the Mod movement or the behind-the-scenes stories of British music, there is a play coming to The Yellow Book on May 30th that might catch your attention. Titled Clean Living Under Difficult Circumstances, the production focuses on the life of Peter Meaden, often referred to as the 'King of the Mods'. The narrative is set in 1978 and follows Meaden as he looks back on his time shaping the career of The Who, while also navigating the personal challenges of addiction and mental health that defined his later years. It covers the period between 1962 and 1978, framing his story as a historical comedy-drama.

The play is written by Ollie Wilson King, who also features in the cast alongside Rocco Biancardi, Amber Gilbert, Stewart Barham, and Ingrid Mort. The direction is a collaborative effort between Stewart Barham, Wilson-King, and Rocco Biancardi. It is a relatively intimate production, with a runtime of 65 minutes, which makes it a straightforward option for a Saturday evening plan. The performance is scheduled to run from 19:00 to 20:00.

For those planning to attend, the venue is located at 3a York Place, Brighton, BN1 4GU. Tickets are priced at £12.00. Given the biographical nature of the script and its focus on a specific era of music history, it seems aimed at those who enjoy theatre that leans into real-world events and character-driven storytelling. It is a chance to see a piece of work that attempts to humanise a figure who played a significant, if often overlooked, role in the development of the Mod scene.