Queanbeyan
City Council,
The Q - Queanbeyan Performing Arts Centre until 6th
October.
Reviewed by
Bill Stephens
Set in the
hippie counter culture of the 1960’s sexual revolution, with its depictions
of illegal drug use, strong anti-war
message, and famous nude seen, “Hair” sparked outrage and protest when it first
surfaced in 1968. Many will still find it a confronting experience.
Director
Stephen Pike, perhaps wisely, has somewhat sweetened the pill in this
confident, spectacularly-staged production, and while the issues remain
relevant, the passion is somewhat diluted.
The nude
scene is tastefully staged. All the familiar songs are superbly sung and danced
by the large, attractive ensemble of hippies who make up “the tribe”.
Choreographer Jordon Kelly has devised a series of inventive, eye-dazzling
“happenings”, and though eschewing the familiar astringent guitar riffs for a
more brassy sound, Geoff Grey’s tight band provides punchy accompaniment.
There are stand-out
performances aplenty, particularly from Maigan Fowler as the pregnant,
spaced-out Jeanie, quite wonderful in “Air”, Kitty McGarry, luminous in the
poignant and silly “Frank Mills, Joanna Licuanan singing up a storm in “I’m
Black”, and from James Court (Woof), Will Huang (Hud) Rebecca Harman (Sheila)
and Laura Dawson (Jasmine).
However, “Hair”
is essentially about the relationship between tribe leader Claude and free
spirit, Berger. Despite engaging
performances from Pete Ricardo and Tim Stiles in these roles, both have yet to discover the passionate
fire at the core of both characters necessary to allow them to dominate the
production.
(This review appears in CITY NEWS . Edition September 27 to October 3)