The Athenaeum Theatre in Melbourne is pulsing with pure 1960s spirit as the Australian Shakespeare Company’s revival of Hair the Musical has landed in a swirl of fringe, protest anthems and communal energy.
Directed by Glenn Elston, this reimagined version offers a fresh yet familiar take on the original rock musical while spotlighting a remarkably vibrant young cast.
The story remains grounded in its original essence: a “tribe” of free-spirited hippies defy convention and celebrate love, peace and self-expression during the tumultuous era of the Vietnam War.
Act I introduces the colourful commune, dancing barefoot and singing of Aquarius, and Hair. Act II brings the stakes into sharper relief as Claude receives his draft notice and the celebrations shift to introspection – I Got Life, Good Morning Starshine, The Flesh Failures (Let the Sunshine In) pivoting the show to a plea for connection and meaning.
At the heart of this production are the young leads. Alex Cooper’s Claude carries emotional weight with subtle grace, transforming from carefree dreamer to conflicted soul in the second act. Maxwell Simon’s Berger bursts with rock-star charisma and irreverence, holding the stage with swagger and vocal power.
Elizabeth Brennan’s Sheila brings an icy certainty that shifts into vulnerable clarity, anchoring the narrative’s more reflective moments. Ensemble members such as Clay Darius (Hud) and Jackson McGovern (Woof) shine during ensemble numbers, supplying the show with a driving rhythm and youthful verve.
However, despite the strong performances and production values, the show’s emotional core doesn’t always land with full impact. For a younger audience, it can be hard to imagine that this show was hugely controversial when it first debuted on stage: not just because of that scene with full frontal nudity, but because of its anti-war messages, its foul language and drug culture references, religious and political satire and depictions of sexuality (including, gasp, homosexuality). In a much more progressive society we tend to take the ability to express these themes freely for granted today.
At the end of the day, this production reminds us that rock musicals don’t have to play it safe. At a time when cultural norms continue shifting, Hair summons you to stand up, raise your voice and let the sunshine in.
