http://www.indianexpress.com/news/hairmarshal/600474/
RICHA BHATIA
Apr 06, 2010
In the Sixties, the musical Hair defined the rather bipolar state of
American youth during the Vietnam War. Now, Delhi-based Frenchman
Antoine Redon, 33, is bringing a watered-down version of the Broadway
classic about a group of shaggy-haired happy hippies who believe in
living low and staying high to Delhi.
"The original musical by James Rado and Gerome Ragni was all about
pushing the envelope on taboos, sexual liberation and saving the
planet. And it is this rawness of the musical that has sustained it
so far. That's why it is relevant for the Indian audience, who are
becoming more conscious about the environment they are living in,"
says Redon, who is the producer and music director. It helps that
Redon has already staged a production in France for three consecutive
years from 2001 to 2004, with two successful shows in Paris. Redon
will also play the lead role of George Berger, the easygoing New
Yorker who feels persecuted by the society, in the upcoming production.
The musical features 20 songs from the original, opening with
Aquarius and ending with the celebratory Let The Sunshine In . In the
first seven minutes of the show, the madcap Hair tribe will enliven
the evening with the songs Hashish, Sodomy and Hare Krishna. In all,
there are 12 scenes.
"Hair isn't just a celebration of the counterculture it shows. The
anti-establishment characters reflect the heady political times they
live in and speak about love, peace and harmony. However, the
restaged version doesn't have any political message and is simply for
entertaining the people," says Rudradeep Chakraborty, director of the musical.
The cast of 35 people will be kitted out in flashy gypsy outfits. And
Redon promises a lot of spontaneity. So be ready, the merry Hair
tribe might just skip down from the stage to embrace and dance with you.
--
Hair will be staged on April 23, 24, 26 and 27 at the Garden of Five
Senses. Contact: tnmf@fwacziarg.com
.
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