50th Anniversary Production of HAIR Extends Through 2018; Initial Casting Announced

HAIR's new 50th anniversary production is to have a HAIR extension through to New Year 2018! The show was due to run until early December but already due to popular demand the show is now extending for a further 6 weeks to SUNDAY 14 JANUARY 2018 - the perfect night out especially over the Festive Season!

The iconic tribal rock musical HAIR opens at London's fully immersive Off-West-End theatre, The Vaults, from WEDNESDAY 4 OCTOBER 2017 and is now to run to SUNDAY 14 JANUARY 2018 (press night Wednesday 11 October 2017 at 7.30pm.) Please see new full listings information below.

Still ground-breaking at the age of 50, HAIR opened off-Broadway in 1967, so to open this genuinely new production off-West-End in 2017 is the perfect move for Hope Mill Theatre's acclaimed production, directed by Jonathan O'Boyle - as relevant now as it was in the 60s.

1967 and HAIR's hippie-hood youngsters live as The Tribe, in the East Village of New York: yearning to change the world, questioning authority and the American flag. They are wild, colourful, free, sexually liberated beautiful people who join in protest and song - under the shadow of the Vietnam War. Featuring classic hit songs: Aquarius, Let the Sun Shine In and Good Morning Star Shine - and the story of youth and war still resounds throughout the world making this a topical musical for the millennial generation. 2017 vividly sees the world protesting and marching, fighting for freedom of speech; from Trump to Brexit via Syria - the core spirit of HAIR.

Initial casting for this thrilling, young and moving production of HAIR includes: Daniel Bailey (Motown The Musical - Shaftesbury Theatre, The Lion King - Lyceum Theatre), ADAM DAWSON (Jet in West Side Story RSC Live - Stratford), Jessie May (Fiona in Blondel - The New Union Theatre, Rock Of Ages - UK tour). And returning to the production are: Natalie Green (Wicked - UK tour), Laura Johnson (Rizzo in Grease - UK tour), SHEKINA MCFARLANE (Parade - Hope Mill Theatre, The Lion King - UK & International tour), ROBERT METSON (Ryan in Bear - Southwark Playhouse), Liam Ross-Mills (Les Miserables - West End, Ben in Ushers: The Front of House Musical - Charing Cross Theatre), KORYANN STEVENS (West Side Story - Live Nation) and KIRSTEN WRIGHT (Our Seasons End - The AC Group).

Further casting to be announced, as the search continues to cast the roles of Berger, Hud and Margaret Mead!

The genuinely youthful cast will bring the original protest musical to life, in the intimate theatre seating just 200, revealing every emotion up close and personal through HAIR's drug fuelled journey.

Like a mini Woodstock, from the moment the audience arrive, The Vaults is transformed into a fully immersive 60s venue, with psychedelic, innovative creatives, iconic artwork and hippie flower power. With 60s themed pop up restaurants and themed drinks; plus stalls including: vintage 60s and tie dye clothes, 60s smiley badges and memorabilia, hippie wigs and flower headdresses, vinyl's - everything needed for a legal high. The audience then move through to the theatre space for HAIR - the musical that changed the face of the modern musical.

HAIR - book and lyrics by James Rado and Gerome Ragni, music by Galt MacDermot. Produced by Katy Lipson for Aria Entertainment, Ollie Rosenblatt for Senbla, Joseph Houston and William Whelton for Hope Mill Theatre and Associate Producers Guy James and Joe Brown. Directed by Jonathan O'Boyle (An American In Paris - Ass. Director Dominion, Ass. Director The Scottsboro Boys Young Vic & West End, The Judas Kiss Toronto & New York, This House - West End, Bull - Young Vic, Pippin - Hope Mill Theatre); Musical Director - Gareth Bretherton (The Verb, To Love - Old Red Lion, Seasons of Larson - Lyric Theatre); Choreographer - William Whelton (Our House - Union Theatre); Set & Costume Designer - Maeve Black (Adam & Eve...and Steve - Kings Head Theatre); Sound - Max Perryment (Start Swimming - Young Vic) & Chris Bogg (Yank! The Musical - Charing Cross Theatre); Lighting Designer - Ben M Rogers (Jesus Christ Superstar - Scandinavian Tour) and Casting Director - Ben Newsome.

Photo credit: Anthony Robling

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