Glenn Elston OAM is the Artistic Director of the Australian Shakespeare Company, a company which has grown from a group of 12 in 1987 to the largest independent theatre company in Australia. Elston has produced, directed and written a vast array of productions including local, national and international shows. His latest is HAIR.
Glenn Elston has always had a special connection to the musical HAIR. His journey with HAIR started back in 1990 when he was approached about producing the musical in partnership with Greg Hocking and Tim Woods. The production opened in Melbourne before embarking on a successful and extensive Australian tour. It’s been more than two decades since HAIR has been presented professionally in Melbourne.
HAIR is affectionately known as the tribal love rock musical. It tells the story of a tribe of young hippies in a changing world, and celebrates the counterculture and sexual revolution of the sixties. When it first opened off-Broadway in 1967, it was both ground-breaking and controversial. Set against the backdrop of the Vietnam War the story questions the futility of war, and instead promotes love and peace.
Elston acknowledges HAIR is a complex work. It sells a message of love and peace, but also deals with strong themes of war and killings.
“We’ve tried to make it as strong as we can in each direction so that it creates a contrast.”
When it first opened, HAIR controversially included a racially integrated cast. In this latest production of HAIR they haven’t shied away from any of the songs that contain racially unacceptable language. Elston said it’s vitally important that these lyrics are not changed.
“HAIR was an influencer in that period, which helped a lot of black people break through and they took ownership of some of these insulting words and brought it into their own language. If it does have a triggering effect then that’s good, because theatre is doing its job.”
Elston doesn’t want audiences to be insulted or scared, but he does want them to be stimulated into action.
Despite HAIR being set in the 1960s, the musical seems just as relevant as ever. Glenn Elston said that producing HAIR, with its strong message and valuable cause, feels like you are doing something positive, because as he noted, “It turns out, nothing’s changed!”
Nearly 60 years later, the themes in HAIR remain just as relevant. For example, there’s a song about pollution.
“It’s a beautiful song and makes an immediate connection about life going on.”
HAIR remains very much a period piece, and it’s not something that should be changed. However, this production will have a very fresh feel to it. Since HAIR first opened, and indeed since the last Australian production there have been considerable advances in technology. This latest production of HAIR will feature high tech lighting, and considerable video to support the story. A ten minute video reel will play prior to the commencement of the show as the audience is arriving into the theatre, giving a history of the 60s and establishing the era.
This is a dynamic and high energy show. Elston wants audiences to take away the energy of HAIR, “The energy of having a joyous time is the same energy you’ve gotta use to push back on bad things.”
He explained that if good people don’t get motivated, bad people take over.
HAIR already has a strong following – largely by people who were around in that era or are already familar with the show. However, Glenn Elston is wanting to attract young people to see HAIR. He wants a younger audiences to come away with a message to be kind, to love people, to be happy, but also to be active and protest.
“If you don’t actively stimulate yourself to do something then don’t be surprised when it turns bad.”
The tribal love-rock musical phenomenon HAIR, a brand-new production of the Grammy and Tony Award-winning hit is now playing at the Athenaeum Theatre for a strictly limited season.
Venue: Athenaeum Theatre, 188 Collins St, Melbourne
Dates: 25 October to 22 November
Price: From $59 – $139
Times: Wed 1pm & 7pm, Thu – Sat 7.30pm, Sun 1pm & 6.30pm (no show Mon)
https://www.hairthemusical.com.au/
Photo credit: Ben Fon
