Hair Tickets

With the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq causing great unease throughout the modern world, it seems like a good time to showcase a production that first wowed audiences back in the 1960s, when similar discontent was felt towards the war in Vietnam. It was a time of protest, where hippies across America rebelled against the system and promoted peace, love and freedom all around.

When “Hair” first appeared on Broadway it was a huge success, having built up an audience with a winning off-Broadway run the year before. It was 1968 and on this occasion the cast featured stars such as Ronnie Dyson, Ben Vereen and Diane Keaton, keeping it at the top of its game until its closure in 1972. Meanwhile, on this side of the Atlantic, a West End version found its feet at the Shaftesbury Theatre, featuring the men behind “The Rocky Horror Show” Tim Curry and Richard O’Brien alongside Elaine Paige, before managing to surpass the Broadway version and close in 1973.

After this it would be many years before a production of “Hair” could successfully find an audience as the show’s anti-war moral dilemmas failed to appeal to the mainstream. It would take decades to take off once more, with numerous appearances in the 2000s and an opening in March 2009 making headlines - bringing it back into the public consciousness.

So the international phenomenon is back in the West End ready to win admirers in the UK once again.  The entire cast of the Broadway version is expected to make the transition as the story of a tribe of hippies takes shape. The show introduces us to Claude amongst the numerous members of the tribe (performed by Gavin Creel) as he learns that he will be drafted to fight overseas. This brings a moral dilemma to the group and Claude must make a decision regarding his values – in particular, which set of values are worth fighting for.

During the course of the story, the audience is treated to some well known musical numbers; some of which are engraved in popular culture such as “Good Morning Starshine” and “Aquarius”, with other numbers including “Let The Starshine In”, “I Believe In Love” and “Three-Five-Zero-Zero”.

This is a very special occasion for “Hair”, one that will be a great treat for fans and a great opportunity to witness a worldwide phenomenon. It is also the first time the Broadway cast has been relocated to the West End (meaning a new cast will have to be found across the Atlantic).

“Hair” appears at the Gielgud Theatre from Wednesday 14th April 2010 (following previews from Thursday 1st April 2010).