The cast of a planned touring production of 'Hair', which was cancelled after its producers went bankrupt, will perform the musical for one night only in July.
It is being performed to raise money for Help For Heroes.
The cancelled U.K tour, which was meant to star Gareth Gates and open in April, was pulled after its producers, EJB Entertainment, filed for bankruptcy.
Gary Lloyd, who was due to direct the tour, has now announced plans to stage the show for one night at the Piccadilly Theatre on July 1, to raise money for charity and “to give the cast the opportunity to do it after what happened”.
'Hair' will star Zoe Birkett, George Maguire and Amy Diamond.
Although Gates is not currently due to appear in the show, Lloyd, who previously directed a European tour of 'Hair' and also directed Thriller Live in the West End, said: “I have spoken to him and I am trying to coax him into doing a little something. We will have some special guests.”
But it does explain why Gareth Gates is starring in a new musical called Loserville at the West Yorkshire Playhouse, which looks like it could be called Legally Big Bang Theory
Original cast members Oliver Tobias and Paul Nicholas from the 1968 London premier at the Shaftesbury Theatre have just signed for this one off concert.
Oliver Tobias and Paul?Nicholas, two of the original stars of the musical 'Hair' when it premiered in the West?End in 1968, are to make guest appearances in a celebrity-packed fundraiser performance of?the musical in the West?End for the Help For Heroes charity on Sunday July 1.
Tobias?(the original Berger)?and Nicholas (Claude) will take to the stage with Zoe Birkett, George Maguire and?Amy?Diamond and the rest of the 2012 cast.
More surprise guests are due to be announced for the production, which is being presented at the Piccadilly?Theatre after a sold-out season in Europe by Gary Lloyd (Director and Choreographer of the worldwide stage hit 'Thriller – Live' and the just-announced Top of the Pops LIVE stage show).
The cast of 'Hair' includes. Zoe Birkett as Dionne. A finalist in Pop Idol, she has appeared in the West?End in 'Priscilla Queen of the Desert - The Musical' and 'Thriller - Live'. George Maguire is Berger. He recently starred in 'Thrill Me' and '20th Century Boy', in which he starred as Marc Bolan. Amy Diamond is Sheila. She was a finalist in BBC1's 'Over The Rainbow' and will next to be seen as Sue in 'Dreamboats and Petticoats'.
More than 40 years since it opened on Broadway, 'Hair', with a book and lyrics by James Rado and Gerome Ragni and music by Galt MacDermot, remains one of the most successful rock shows ever. Its many hit songs include Aquarius, I Got Life, Let The Sun Shine In, and Good Morning Starshine; it feature an infamous nude scene that pushed the boundaries of what was acceptable on stage; and a political message that resonates as much today as it did in the 60s.
Hair tells the story of Claude, a hippie living a life of self exploration, meditation, peace and most certainly love. He and his tribe resist the looming draft and spend much of their time in passionate protest against the Vietnam war and for human rights, equality and freedom. Set in New York City in 1967, we join Claude and the tribe as they introduce us to their world through some of the most infectious songs ever written for musical theatre.
Gary said, "I am very proud to be putting on this event in support of such an amazing and relevant charity. 'Hair' has become a part of all our lives and discovering what these people went through has been a mindblowing journey of discovery. The issues that arise within the piece are still hugely prevalent today so since it was created, there has never been a better time to do 'Hair'. The Help For Heroes charity do amazing work and we are honoured to be a part of supporting them with such an incredible piece. This also promises to be the most exciting night in the theatrical calendar so far this year!"
'Hair' premiered Off-Broadway in October 1967 then ran for 1,750 performances on Broadway.
'Hair' opened at the Shaftesbury Theatre in London on September 27, 1968 with the same creative team as the Broadway production. The opening night was delayed until the abolition of theatre censorship in England under the Theatres Act 1968. The original London tribe included Sonja Kristina, Paul Nicholas, Melba Moore, Elaine Paige, Paul Korda, Marsha Hunt, Floella Benjamin, Alex Harvey, Oliver Tobias, Richard O'Brien and Tim Curry.
The London run surpassed the Broadway production, running for 1,997 performances until its closure was forced by the roof of the theatre collapsing in July 1973.
'HAIR' Piccadilly Theatre 16 Denman Street London W1D 7DY
I can't believe they were asking for £200 a ticket originally. Hope this helps them to sell a load more tickets would be awful for it to not be very full.
A great evening, I don't think HAIR has aged particularly well but it does have some truly exhilarating songs and it was a special moment when Oliver Tobias, Paul Nicholas and other members of the 1968 cast came on stage for the encore. More on my blog, but only really an expansion of what I've already said, so only click if you've got time on your hands. HAIR
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Posted: 6/1/12 at 07:15am