Movies

Quadrophenia cast threatened strike as Trevor Laird couldnt be seen with white girl

To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video

The cast of Quadrophenia are currently celebrating the cult films 40th anniversary.

But while the classic was progressive for its time, it turns out the movie could have been a whole lot more radical.

Opening up on what went down behind the scenes, Trevor Laird, who played Ferdy, recalled the moment he was told he couldnt be seen with a white girl.

Yes, that actually happened.

Advertisement

Advertisement

During the party scene where the characters are kissing and having sex, the 62-year-old told Metro.co.uk: The associate producer John Peverall came in and gave me a bottle of champagne and said, “youre not in the scene.”

I was like, “what the bloody hell is going on…” This time Im freaking out that Ive got the sack.

Trevor Laird couldnt be seen with white girl during his time on Quadrophenia (Picture: Rex)

Franc Roddam (the director) came rushing over and he said, “look, this film is going to be released in the deep south of America probably South Africa if were lucky, and we cant have any scenes where theres sex in it with a black man and white women.

“Its just not possible, youre not in the scene, youre cut.”

Taking a moment, the star went onto say how he didnt think he was bothered at the time, but looking back knew it had affected him.

I realise now, which you didnt at the time because you cover it up, but I did feel like an outsider, he confessed.

Quadrophenia
The cast threatened to strike (Picture: Rex)

But I wish then I knew what I know now because I would have used that.

He smiled: Its interesting to be an outsider, all I wanted to be was an insider but if Id have used that more…

Sky Arts is set to air a documentary on the film, where Trevor will address the sex scene.

Advertisement

Advertisement

He told us: When Im asked a question about that scene, I started talking about it and suddenly I felt my voice cracking up.

Toyah Willcox
Toyah threw her support behind her co-star (Picture: Redferns)
Quadrophenia
She played Monkey in the cult classic (Picture: Rex)

Going over that again, for the first time in many years, I thought, “oh my god, it really did affect me as a 20-year-old kid.

Toyah Willcox, who was sat next to Trev and played Monkey in the 1979 movie, chirped up: I dont know if you know, but we talked about going on strike because of that.

All these were walls that were being knocked down, and here we were having to keep to a really bad tradition.

Lets be honest, Trev explained: In the 1980s, politicians in England were calling Nelson Mandela a terrorist and that was after the film, so what do you expect?

More: Sky

He added: I can look at it in hindsight andRead More – Source

Related Articles

Back to top button