“Hair” by The Cast
Duchess Theatre, Long Eaton.

The musical tells the story of the "tribe", a group of politically active hippies living a bohemian existence in New York City. Its main protagonist Claude, lived a life characterised by the pursuit of love, peace and sexual revolution - but faced a battle with his family who wanted him to fight in Vietnam.

The hippies' long hair - and the title of the show - was a symbol of their defiance. You would have had to have your hair cut when going into the military and therefore the name Hair is highly symbolic as a form of rebellion.

Back in 1968 when the original theatre version was first presented, theatre goers walked out of the theatre in disgust due to the nudity and the messages the play gave out.

The programme does advise that there is sexual content and nudity, but nothing that might embarrass your granny, just a bare chest and a naked bottom.

The show is a bit dated, and the shock factor is no longer prevalent but that aside, the energy, the songs and the message really pull this show through. Plus this is one theatre production I've wanted to tick off my theatrical bucket list for a long time.

Andrew Buxton (George Berger), the self professed leader of The Tribe, brings the hippy attitude to the stage as well as the confident sexuality of the flower power era of the Vietnam War. Having seen Andrew before, I knew that his vocals would be strong, which they were throughout.

Daniel Collington (Claude) keeps us hanging on to see if he burns his conscription card, or enrols to fight for his country to well into Act Two. Daniel has always been a confident actor and his role in "Hair" brings out his naturalness and ease of characterisation. In other words, I saw Claude and not Daniel.

Cat Tuckey (Sheila) gets to share both leading men in this show. We had to wait for Cat to really show what she could vocal wise until the back end of Act One with one of my favourite songs from the soundtrack, "Easy To Be Hard" - it gave me shivers. Cat also got to deliver one of the more well known songs in "Good Morning Starshine" in Act two.

George Lamb (Woof) brought a real sense of camp fun to the show, which really went down well with the audience.

Katie MacDonald (Jeanie), Sascha Cornelius (Ronny), Emily May Corner(Chrissy), Candice Shevaun Curnow-Newland (Dionne), Rob Chilton, Matthew Charlton, Cheryl Camm, Claire Farrand-Preston, Gemma Ryan, Michelle Bruce, Rachelle Bragg and Stephanie Wright complete the cast list.

This group not only dance their way through with great energy but what they also have are incredible, harmonious voices, which are highlighted in the soundtrack's gospel tinged numbers.

One voice that really stood out for me belongs to Candice who has an amazing soul/gospel powerhouse of a voice, but everyone really gives everything they have in the vocal department. This is particularly evident in the wonderful "Let the Sun Shine In". It's one of the most well known songs from the show but before seeing this production, I didn't really get the full meaning and feel from this song that was presented by The Cast last night.Yet another goose-bump moment.

Directed by Beth Yearsley, you can tell that she has really done her research on this one, because you really felt that you'd been transported back in time, especially with the evocative opening sequences. A great pace to this show.

I've mentioned the choreography and the energy through the choreography and this is all down to Siân Scattergood.

A solid sound from the band, under the musical direction from James Bowden, and I loved the fuzzy rock guitar start to the musical.

The well known songs are here, "Aquarius", "Ain't Got No.... I Got Life", "Let the Sun Shine In", "Good Morning Starshine", and I think you'll find a few others among the soundtrack that may become guilty pleasures.

Great costumes, provided by Mina Machin, which really placed you back in the Summer of Love period.

The Lighting Design was clever and created the psychedelic feel, thanks to Dave Martin.

Dave Dallard was in charge of the sound and I heard effects last night that I'd not heard at The Duchess before, and that added to the excitement of the production.

Not only is the language colourful, but so is the set, another thing to visually draw you in, designed by Rob Corner and Beth Yearsley.

I will admit that for part of the play, I didn't quite understand what was going on, but who cares because it all comes together and makes for a very enjoyable, and energetic trip back in time.

It's not often you see "Hair" performed either professionally, or by local theatre, so I'd advise that you take this opportunity to see it while it's local. You know what they say "Hair today - gone tomorrow", well they may say that on Saturday!

“Hair” is at the Duchess Theatre, Long Eaton until Saturday 8 June.