Hair
by James Rado, Gerome Ragni and Galt MacDermot, 16-26 June 2010
Auditions take place on 4, 5 and 7 March - book your slot now
The show’s director, Matt Prince, has written a message about the ‘nude scene’, which he thinks may be putting some people off auditioning – please don’t let it!
Matt says: “Any actor thinking about auditioning for Hair and is concerned... about the nudity should not worry; we are aiming to have nakedness in the show, but it will be to the limit each actor is comfortable with. The staging and lighting will be sympathetic, the moment brief but powerful. Through the rehearsal period and by the time we come to performing the show each actor’s choices about their nudity will stem from the character and their connection to the story. It will always be a personal choice and will always be handled with sensitivity. Nakedness in public is always a challenging and difficult issue, there are so many society, ideological, physical and emotional barriers around removing clothes – the moment of brief nudity in Hair intentionally challenges these. It is a form non-violent protest and a way to express anger and disapproval with authority. There are things far more challenging in Hair than nakedness – what is important is that it is a wonderful show, and we are going to ensure that it is a wonderful experience for everyone involved.”
To book an audition slot, e-mail hairauditions.sedos@googlemail.com.
Plot
Hair is about a group of young people in New York City’s East Village who band together as a Tribe. They are a New York contingent of flower children (a freedom phenomenon that had begun a little earlier in San Francisco). Taking on the feel of an American Indian tribe, they question authority and the society they are living in and the Vietnam War. Within the context of the play, they struggle for the light, but are forced to fight and die, only to be reborn, again to suffer more, then to rise from the ashes, to glow, to shine…
The authors of Hair played with the idea that this movement was connected astrologically to the heavens, to the coming of the 'Age of Aquarius'.
Director: Matthew Prince
Musical Director / Producer: Matthew Gould
Hair, book and lyrics by James Rado and Gerome Ragni, music by Galt MacDermot
The Bridewell Theatre
Bride Lane,
Fleet Street
London, EC4Y 8EQ
16-26 June 2010 at 7.30pm, Saturday matinees at 2.30pm
TICKETS AVAILABLE NEARER THE EVENT
A Show For Now
With war and political unrest rampant a revival of Hair couldn’t be more apt. Hair is a reaction to youth wanting answers to hidden secrets in power. Given the revelations over the past year regarding MP’s expenses, lies and the lack of answers regarding the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan - it is the time to make an artistic response.
The show was recently revived on Broadway to huge success and it swept the Tony Awards. Even 40 years after its first opening critics are still stating that the show still contains the authentic voice of today.
Isn't Cameron Mackintosh bringing the Broadway revival of Hair to the West End?
Yes he is! The entire Broadway cast are coming over to perform Hair in the West End, starting in April – so yes our production will be playing simultaneously with the Broadway version a few streets away. We have confirmed with the rights holders that we can still go ahead with our production with no restrictions or limitations.
I’ve heard that the show contains nudity?
Yes there is a very short nude scene. Because of the history of the piece, it's pretty nigh impossible to do without. However, we can promise you that the nudity will be short, tasteful, and dimly lit. It is a moment to demonstrate total liberation and freedom. The moment is static rather than choreographed. It is not an orgy!
Note: cast will be staggered all over the stage, so most people will in fact not actually be particularly visible / discernible to the audience. We hope that this doesn’t put anyone off….
If you have concerns about this but otherwise would be interested in auditioning, please do audition anyway but make your concerns clear on the audition form. We will also be discussing this at the Workshop, so please come along before making your mind up!
When is our version of Hair set?
We are going to stay faithful to the authors’ original intention of the piece and set it basically at the of the 1960s. Whilst the production values will be updated, we will not be updating the actual action of the piece.
Am I too old?
We are looking for strong, energetic youthful looking performers, but there is no reason why some of the tribe can’t in reality be a little older – it’s about the enthusiasm, talent and commitment. We are planning on having an off-stage vocal ensemble, so there really should be something for everyone.
Auditions
Auditions: Thursday 4 March 7pm, Friday 5 March 7pm, Sunday 7 March 11am/1pm/3pm
Recalls: Sunday 14 March, 11am–4.30pm
Please email hairauditions.sedos@googlemail.com if you would like to audition. Please confirm your preferred audition slot and whether you are auditioning for a particular role or ensemble.
Rehearsals
These will run on a Tuesday and Thursday evening with a full day on Saturday from 20 March.
If you have any questions, please contact
Matthew Gould: matt@mjgould.co.uk
