Join the Tribe! Andy Coxon, who finishes this weekend in Yank!, leads the 50th-anniversary revival of HAIR as hippy Berger, alongside original Manchester cast members Robert Metson and Laura Johnson as Claude and Sheila. Who else has been cast?
Andy Coxon has been cast in the iconic role of Berger, in the new 50th anniversary production of HAIR, which runs for a limited (already extended) season in an immersive production at London’s The Vaults from 4 October 2017 to 13 January 2018, with a press night on 11 October and Anniversary Gala 17 October.
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.
Coxon is currently starring as Mitch in the acclaimed London production of Yank! (Charing Cross Theatre), which also transferred from Manchester’s Hope Mill Theatre in an Aria Entertainment co-production. His West End credits include Beautiful and Les Misérables.
Also joining the cast of HAIR are Daniel Bailey, Adam Dawson, Patrick George (Margaret Mead), Jammy Kasongo (Hud), Jessie May (Jeanie). Returning to the production from the Manchester run are Natalie Green (Cassie), Laura Johnson (Sheila), Shekina McFarlane (Dionne), Robert Metson (Claude), Liam Ross-Mills (Woof), Koryann Stevens (Mary) and Kirsten Wright (Chrissy).
HAIR changed the face of musical theatre and is still groundbreaking at the age of 50. HAIR opened off-Broadway in 1967, and 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.
It’s 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.
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 a 1960s themed pop-up restaurant 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.
HAIR has book and lyrics by James Rado and Gerome Ragni, music by Galt MacDermot. It’s 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. The revival is directed by Jonathan O’Boyle, with musical direction by Gareth Bretherton, choreography by William Whelton, set and costume design by Maeve Black, sound by Max Perryment and Chris Bogg, lighting by Ben M Rogers and casting by Ben Newsome.
