It’s a musical tackling a ‘’dreadful period of history’’ but the hippies and groovy dudes and gals are still having lots of fun in the Arcadians Theatre Group’s latest production.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Hair: The American Tribal Love-Rock Musical is a product of the hippie counterculture and sexual revolution of the 1960’s, with several of its songs becoming anthems of the anti-Vietnam War peace movement.
The musical's profanity, its depiction of the use of illegal drugs, its treatment of sexuality, its irreverence for the American flag and its nude scene caused much comment and controversy when it opened on Broadway in April 1968 and ran for an amazing 1750 performances.
The musical’s message is still as powerful and strong 50 years on according to director Malcolm White.
‘’Unfortunately young people in that period were sent [war conscription] overseas to kill and to be killed and yet they weren’t given the right to vote,’’ White said.
‘’The world was completely in turmoil. I think it is very relevant for today.’’
White said the ‘’dreadful period of history’’ nevertheless produced uplifting music.
‘’Ten number one hit songs came out of that musical which is quite remarkable for a rock musical,’’ he said.
Hair tells the story of the ‘’tribe’’, a group of politically active, long-haired hippies of the ''Age of Aquarius'' living a bohemian life in New York City and fighting against conscription into the Vietnam War.
Claude (Michael Zelvis), his good friend Berger (Nathan Flint), their roommate Sheila (Jesse Cleal) and their friends, struggle to balance their young lives, loves and the sexual revolution with their rebellion against the war and their conservative parents and society.
‘’I think it [musical] is something that everyone should come and see. It is such a statement piece from that period...and 50 years later it is still as powerful...it is still as strong,’’ White said.
‘’To be honest I have the most beautiful cast singing. They are incredible, absolutely incredible singers.
‘’Many who came last weekend said it was the best show they’ve seen. Quite a few of them said they saw this back in the 1970’s and said this was a better production.
‘’They couldn’t believe it was an amateur show. We have such a wealth of talented people that can hold their own in any stage in the world without a shadow of a doubt.’’
Hair: The American Tribal Love-Rock Musical plays Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays until August 6 at the Miners Lamp Theatre in Corrimal. Tickets at www.arcadians.org.au or on 4284 8348.