REVIEW - HAIR

HAIR was the start of a new breed of musical. It has not much of a storyline but is full of hit songs. It is almost a ‘Jukebox Musical’ but in reverse… Many of the songs became Hit Songs because of the stage show.

I knew nothing about the show before walking in except it was a bit hippie and they get naked and there were some songs I would know! WOW! This show was fantastic! Everyone had great voices! Such a strong and full chorus sound. The stage was covered in carpet and rugs with some scaffold / old ladder looking things against a brick backdrop. The band were onstage and just fitted in with the set. There was a giant truck as part of the set as well.

The show opens and Burger – the lead, introduces himself and straight away makes you feel like you are part of the show. You walk out at the end wanting to hug everyone!
The story revolves around boys / young men burning their letter to go into the army. One of them decides not to; and the show ends with a very simple yet very powerful scene. Sorry to give the plot away. The lighting in every show has been outstanding. All shows have very simple sets and rely heavily on lighting. Gone are the days of long scene changes and scene change music. I think today’s audience are getting more intelligent and are able to accept that all we need is a vacuum cleaner onstage and we know we are in the family house.

Seeing the band were great and the cast interacted with them as well. It added to the whole free spirit feeling of the show and although everything would have been blocked and choreographed, it had this freedom and freeness to the whole production – in a good way.

HAIR made it’s name for the controversial nudity. I can assure you this was done in good taste and wasn’t lets get naked because we should! And everyone, except the band, got naked – and they were all shapes and sizes. The lighting and blocking of this scene gave such an impact. Well done to the director!

In summary, HAIR was fantastic. A great fun show, with a very American feel and message that probably wouldn’t resonate as strong with Australian audiences. I wouldn’t rush out to see it again in a hurry, only because it is a show that you should see but you can then say you’ve seen it and probably don’t need to for a while after.

REASON FOR SEEING: Iconic Rock Musical. Probably won’t see it staged in Australia
BEST OF: Best band / orchestra – AMAZING!