Wimbledon Theatre – until 30 March 2019
Reviewed by Jess Brady
5*****
Hair the Musical has landed at Wimbledon theatre packed with all the peace, love, freedom and happiness possible as the show continues in celebration of its 50th anniversary. A true festival of colour, psychedelic trips aplenty, and an unforgettable score, it’s easy to see why Hair has stood the test of time and is still as relevant today as it was 50 years ago.
Set in late 1960’s America, Hair is a culmination of rebellion against the Vietnam War, breaking racial and sexual prejudice and freedom. The show introduces us to a tribe of hippies who in turn speak to the crowds and share their stories of how they came to be in this drug fuelled, free loving clan. Each tribe member appears to be far removed from the real world from an outsider’s perspective but when you get to the heart of the matter, they are probably more grounded than most of the top flying politicians of the decade whose decisions were leading a nation into crisis.
The stage is an explosion of colourful ribbons, banners and green fields which the displaced hairy ensemble meander onto from the stalls as the show begins setting the tone for the duration of the evening, no forth wall and as immersive as it can be for a theatre of that size and we kick off with the infamous Aquarius.
This show has been a favourite of mine for quite some time and I am always excited by the ways in which it can be reinvented with a score that has always been a standout, with each song offering something special and unique in its style and lyrics but one thing always the remains, the cast vocals have to be on point, this cast excelled in vocal ability. The strength of each performer is evident and each role is clearly defined from the outset. Each number was bursting with gusto and the tight choreography was given real attack from the cast which elevated the show.
Jake Quickenden (Berger) and Daisy Wood Davis (Sheila) both starting new chapters in their careers, take to their roles with ease and seem to be having a ball in the process. The entire ensemble is excellent; it’s difficult to name standout performers as it really is a team effort throughout but special mentions must go to Bradley Judge as Woof, Marcus Collins as Hud and Alesha Pease as Dionne, all three gave incredible vocal performances as well as plenty of that hippy energy which is vital to a show like Hair. Tom Bales and Margaret Mead was a personal highlight for me as his interactions with the audience were hilarious and the rest of the crowd seemed to agree.
Once again this production has knocked it out of the park and has certainly set the bar high for the future of Hair The Musical, with great direction by Jonathan O’Boyal, impressive choreography by William Whelton and seamless musical direction by Gareth Bretherton you can’t help but come out of the theatre feeling good and that is something to cherish! Lovers of Hair will not be disappointed as this feels like a fresh, new and exciting interpretation with a cast that can pack a punch, so let your hair down and enjoy!