Hair at Midsumma
It may be impossible to not get caught up in the cast’s infectious enthusiasm for Hair.
From the lollies and condoms that come with the program to the hippy greetings at the door, it’s a love fest of joy.
But neither direction nor design give a contemporary view of this very political piece of theatre or place it firmly in the context of protesting the war in Vietnam in the 60s and 70s.
Given it’s created by people the same age as those facing the draft in Hair, that it’s about a war that had an incredible impact on Australian culture, and it’s performed in a city that helped to stop the draft in Australia with the Monatorium protests, there’s so much material that could shape a piece that speaks to and about 2013.
For all its love, Hair fails to celebrate or share an understanding of those who rejected the idea of killing for their country or tell the story from the point of view of that generation’s grandchildren.
An interesting review, however I thought it kept true to the origins of the original Hair and kept it in the context on when it was created. Unlike some other Hair bashings I have seen around the world over the years trying to modernize the plot, this version was a refreshing reflection of the era, which most in my generation who have seen this version that I have spoken too and met whilst seeing the production, completely agree. Also I was lucky enough to meet the creatives, and as youthful as they look, they were definitely a decade over the draft age of 21. Sorry boys. So everyone, if you can, get down and see it. I will be going for my 4th time this week and I’m excited to see it again before it closes.
An interesting review, however I thought it kept true to the origins of the original Hair and kept it in the context on when it was created. Unlike some other Hair bashings I have seen around the world over the years trying to modernize the plot, this version was a refreshing reflection of the era, which most in my generation who have seen this version that I have spoken too and met whilst seeing the production, completely agree. Also I was lucky enough to meet the creatives, and as youthful as they look, they were definitely a decade over the draft age of 21. Sorry boys. So everyone, if you can, get down and see it. I will be going for my 4th time this week and I’m excited to see it again before it closes.
Hopefully this review is taken as prototype in what is poor writing and unpublishable.
My brother was not lucky enough to survive the Vietnam War, so I have an extremely close connection with the era and the topics, and I was moved both by the representation of the era and the well told story. The hippies took me back to a place that was one of the hardest times in my life. A true depiction of the time and and entertaining show, like the last commenter, I will also be returning to the show.