The Broadway production of Hair The Musical opened at the Gielgud Theatre last night: the first time a Broadway show has transferred the same cast to the West End.

I was lucky enough to catch a preview of this exuberant show. I’ve never seen Hair before, despite hearing a lot about it from my parents who saw it “back in the day.”

It’s certainly a really interesting musical: while there’s no real narrative arc to speak of, making it difficult to care for any of the characters, there are some amazing songs, and the costumes, set and performances are really impressive (particularly the gorgeous Gavin Creel as Claude and Will Swenson as Berger).

We asked some other members of the audience if they thought the Age of Aquarius had arrived:

Juliette, Hatch End
I wasn’t sure what to expect and had heard alot about the original play in the 60s.  I was surprised at the level of audience interaction with the cast and at first found this a little daunting (probably more so if you were in the front few rows of the stalls). The second half was certainly stronger with the first half laying the foundations. Voices were great and definitely some strong characters. It was great to see so many on the stage at the end of the show.

Ricci Riccardi, Herne Hill, 29
The band were amazing – it was so good to see top session musicians playing in a West End show. The band made the show for me.

Jess Rees, Herne Hill, 29
Hair is a really fun show. The performers had bags of energy. It’s quite off-the-wall and the hallucination scene in the second act is really well done. There are some very random moments and it is definitely a product of the 60s, but it worth watching just to see the audience joining in at the end.

Lilac, Sydney, 32
I wasn’t expecting to like Hair, but I did. I didn’t think it would be innovative and memorable after all these years, but it was. I was intrigued by the format, impressed by the pace and made joyful by the obvious fun the cast (and audience) were having.

Flora, Reading, 27
I loved the music and the singing was outstanding, it sounded so good. What talent! Gavin Creel was outstandingly brilliant as Claude. I wasn’t sure about the character Berger though, he seemed like he was in the wrong theatre. Over all, really enjoyable and very beautiful.

Amy, Clapham, 33
Uproarious, glorious and groovy, baby! I wasn’t sure what to expect from Hair, but really got into the characters and the music. And I couldn’t believe it when the audience “gatecrashed” the stage to join the cast in their feelgood finale. Hair-larious!

Madelene, Finsbury Park, 37
If you immerse yourself in the fabulous music and forgive the lack of story then you will enjoy this new version of Hair. The energy from the Broadway cast lifts you up and takes you on a dreamy journey back to the 60s.

Have you seen Hair? Let us know what you think in the comments below.

Hair runs at the Gielgud Theatre until 8 January 2011. Book your tickets here

Many London schools have already broken up for the Easter break. My plan is to spend a relaxing Easter with the family, but the week of 12 April, which is the second week of the school Easter Break, I’m hoping to see Billy Elliot: The Musical at the Victoria Palace Theatre.

The musical recently celebrated its 5th anniversary and on my show on Magic 105.4, I gave listeners the opportunity to see the musical in New York on Broadway.  Unfortunately, I don’t have time to go to New York during the Easter break, but I’m sure seeing it at the Victoria Palace will be just as exhilarating! 
 
I’ve also put two other events in my diary, both post-Easter; firstly Welsh superstar soprano, Katherine Jenkins will be performing at a Magic Indulgence event on 6 April, and lucky winners of tickets will be able to meet her!

Later in the month – 20 April – I’ve got tickets booked at the Cadogan Hall in Chelsea to hear some gospel singing and entertainment from the London Community Gospel Choir, who I’m sure will bring the Easter spirit to the venue.

Whatever you have planned over the Easter period, I wish you a happy and peaceful time.
 
Until next time…

We’re too young to know anything about the original(!) but we’ve heard our parents talking about it, recognise the songs (Aquarius and Let The Sunshine In) and it all the stories about it from the 60s sound incredible. (Plus, anything starring Elaine Paige, Richard O’Brien, Tim Curry and Paul Nicholas must’ve been amazing!)

It’s also exciting to have the first entire Tony-award-winning Broadway cast opening a musical in London. We’ve got to wait til April, but it’s down in our diaries to get tickets!

In other theatre news, Dreamboats and Petticoats, the musical inspired by an album of 50s songs, is due to reopen in January. From a successful touring show, this musical was so popular at the Savoy this summer, it extended its run by seven weeks!

And now it’s coming back: book your tickets to see it at the Playhouse from 6 January. Anyone out there seen it and want to tell us about it? We’re yet to catch this one.

If you’re looking for a shorter-term theatre fix, Panto season is very nearly upon us! We’ve had news from the Lyric that the rehearsals for Jack and the Beanstalk are well under way. Backstage, the Dame’s seven (count them!) dresses are almost finished, and the 4-metre-tall Giant is getting close to being brought to life…

Over at the New Wimbledon Theatre, we’ve heard news their panto has added another jewel to its star-studded Aladdin’s lamp. Anita Dobson (fresh from baring all in Calendar Girls, but best-known to the world as Angie Watts from EastEnders in the 80s) is the final star to share the role of the Genie of the Lamp alongside Ruby Wax, Pamela Anderson and Paul O’Grady.

Do you have plans to see any of London’s fantastic Pantos? Let us know which baddie you’ll be booing and hissing at over the Christmas season…