The 50th anniversary tour of the ground-breaking rock opera “Hair” takes audiences on a psychedelic journey of peace and free love with plenty of bad language, nudity, illegal drugs and sexual themes as part of their 50th anniversary national tour.
Originally performed Off-Broadway in 1967, it’s controversial and somewhat shocking scenes, particularly at times of heightened tension in the throes of the Vietnam War meant the show was met with protests and outrage with boycotts of theatres and some banning it completely.
In today’s world it is perhaps considered a little more tame, however, still carries hard hitting messages around racial diversity , sexuality and self acceptance.
Written by Gerome Ragni and James Rado with music by Galt MacDermot, Hair tells the story of a “tribe” living a bohemian life in New York City in the midst of the Vietnam War.
Claude (Paul Wilkins) faces a crisis of conscience when he is called to serve in a war that he whole heartedly morally objects to. The plot centres around his journey to make his decision, along with the lives of his fellow long haired hippy friends such as the flamboyant Berger (Bradley Judge), pregnant Jeanie (Alison Arnopp) and anti war protester Cassie (Natalie Green).
The actors are bursting with enthusiasm from the opening beats. Maeve Black designed a fabulous set full of rainbow colours and psychedelic hippie communes.
The performers offbeat humour and interaction with the audience ensures the show is dynamic and lively.
Judge delivers a great comedy performance as the outlandish and extraverted Berger- standing in as understudy at the last minute for X Factor and Dancing on ice star Jake Quickenden.
Marcus Collins, another X Factor alumni also deserves credit for his vocals as Hud. I
n fact, the whole cast deliver a strong vocal performance as they chant their way through around 40 songs – including well known favourites such as Aquarius, Ain’t Got No, I Got Life and the incredibly catchy Let the Sun Shine In.
The tracks are the main attraction of the show with a heady mix of rock, pop, gospel and country performed by a live band on stage.
At times the story lacks plot development as the audience simply gets lost in the enjoyable, visually impressive and somewhat disturbed hallucinations as the tribe negotiate their liberated and free experimental lifestyles.
As the musical score is more central than detailed plot lines and intricate characters, the audience can sit back and simply enjoy the ride…
By the finale of Let the Sun Shine In, the cast invited delighted audience members onto the stage to celebrate with them bringing a crazy yet throughly entertaining journey to an end.
Tickets available, show runs until Saturday 10th August.