OBSERVER: Hair
Hair, a brand-new production of the Grammy and Tony Award-winning tribal rock show comes to the Athenaeum Theatre from October 25 for a strictly limited season.
When Hair first exploded onto the Australian stage in the early 1970s, it not only shocked and thrilled audiences, but also launched the careers of some of the country’s leading performers.
Artists such as Marcia Hines, Reg Livermore, John Waters, Lyndsay Field and Sylvie Paladino all appeared in early productions, cementing their places in Australian music and theatre history.
Created by Gerome Ragni and James Rado (book and lyrics) and score by Galt MacDermot, it became an anthem for a generation, and included hits such as Aquarius, Good Morning Starshine, Let the Sunshine In, and the title track Hair – songs that broke records, topped charts, and helped define the sound of the era.
Set against the backdrop of the Vietnam War, the groundbreaking musical captures the 1960s counterculture spirit and its quest for peace, truth and freedom, telling the story of free-spirited young hippies who advocate a lifestyle of pacifism and free love in a society riddled with intolerance and brutality.
As they explore sexual identity, challenge racism, experiment with drugs and burn draft cards, the “tribe” not only create an irresistible message of hope and change, but also address timeless themes of alienation, civil disobedience, and youthful defiance that continue to resonate with audiences almost 60 years later.
Director Glenn Elston said: “I’ve always had a very personal connection to Hair, it’s the soundtrack of my youth during a time really close to my heart.
“Revisiting it now, I’m reminded how fearless this show was back then and how much it still matters today. I’m genuinely excited to bring it back for those who know it and love it and to introduce it to a whole new generation.”
Venue: Athenaeum Theatre, 188 Collins St, Melbourne
Dates: October 25 – November 22
Price: From $59 – $139
Times: Wed 1pm and 7pm, Thu – Sat 7.30pm, Sun 1pm and 6.30pm (no show Mon or Tue)
Tickets: hairthemusical.com.au
Cheryl Threadgold
Pictured: The original 1992 Melbourne cast of Hair.
Photo: Branco Gaica

