HAIR. It had better be the BEST Thing in the West End *BUT Is Far From It. — Page 2

Mr Swenson is one of the main reasons the production stank for me. OTT is an understatement.

Best in show.....

Mr Kevin Kern.

Updated On: 4/10/10 at 12:41 PM

He spoke in some ridiculous Pee Wee Herman voice crossed with a spoilt American brat!

I cant decide whether t see this or not. Ive never seen Hair so feel like I should, but it doesnt excite me and the CD doesnt do much for me either.

Mama I take it you were the first one up dancing with the hippies at the end?!

See it, you will enjoy it

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I dont think this is a big show, ive never really thought Hair was a big show, it def has its own audience which many are not going to like.
I do think even if you hate this show you can walk away with something, the energy and talent on the stage is fantastic

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I’ve always said its better to make up your own mind if you’re not sure about the quality of something, but with the price of tickets I can’t afford many risks these days, and I quite fancied seeing Hair. In saying that, and some of the comments here, I am off to Love Never Dies on Saturday – I suppose we each make decisions on the risks worth taking.

Did you have a free ticket Mama?

If only you had asked that question this time last week i could have had as many a sI wanted. In the end it was just the 4 hours.
Speaking to the box office manager he said that they are still waiting for the promised rush at he window and Mackintosh had expected.
For the regular posters on here he mentioned that the £20/25 day seat offer of 20 seats from 10.30am are basically being offered to anyone asking for concessions right up until curtain time. IF you do try this its best to keep away from weekend shows i guess.
New shows in previews are usually pretty busy or sold out regardless of how heavy the house is papered each night. There were many empty seats last week. Pretty much says how slowly this show is selling.
A 40 year old show, no names, top prices higher than other major shows do not a long run make.

Updated On: 4/12/10 at 08:35 AM

I'm still in two minds about seeing this - I'm not really a huge fan of the show to start with and, while I'm happy enough about the hippy-ish ideals it espouses, I don't want to have to (ironically) spent a lot of money to sit through an evening of it (coming from 'out of town' means I never seem to be able to get day seats). On the other hand, I've heard a lot of positive things about the production and this cast especially...

"There were many empty seats last week. Pretty much says how slowly this show is selling.
A 40 year old show, no names, top prices higher than other major shows do not a long run make."


- yes they are not names in England but a few are HUGE names in NYC and is why they got tony nominations along with their performances. It happens in both places I think. "The original London casts comes to NY". well, unless known, it is pretty hard to use that tactic. Theatre people know both. I know a lot of the British stage actors and know they would sell as do many North Americans. Their names are recognizable to us. Perhaps it doesn't recipricate in England who is known or not. Having said that the NBC of HAIR has some "names" in it for the younger folk. names from American Idol. let's see how that goes. show prices are far too much anyway. i want to see a show not look at it from a back mezzanine seat. not many people can afford a mortgage payment to go to the theatre with their family. i know there are cheaper ways to go. i have no idea what it is costing to have the NY cast of HAIR in London. I wonder what MacIntosh and NY have paid as far as flying, sending their animals, accomodations, pay in general for this. He ususally has hits, no? I am wondering what his motivation was. I am glad it is in London for my own selfish reasons of being there soon... but for the long haul? i am hearing that is not going to happen.

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Nicole Kidman is known by everyone and so is Sir Ian due to movies as well.

I am talking more of a Colm Wilkonson or a Michael Ball being known on both sides. or Patti Lupone perhaps.

but like you say...not "everyone" would know.

The only NAME i would say HAIR has is Gavin Creel as he has done a lot but even then, not so much in the UK.

I know the names of HAIR not only from that show, however. I have seen them in other things.

I would see that show regardless of who is in it as I enjoy the production. I am not sure though if it will last. I trust your thoughts and you have been at the Gielgud to see the response so I am not going to dispute it. :)

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Jo Public in the UK have no idea who Mr Creel is. Even Macintosh isn't using his name which he could very well have after 'Mary Poppins' as nobody in the UK or US went to see 'Poppins' due to him being in the cast.
Michael Ball is a very big name here through TV and theatre, basically a household name now for over 20 years. Colm Wilkinson, no.
Patti Lupone ios only well known within the theatre world here. If she went on TV to promote anything in the UK she would not be known by the TV audiences in front of her.

I'd say I'm a pretty keen theatre fan, and Gavin Creel was the only one I'd heard of before Hair. And as pointed out, the only thing he has done in the UK as far as I know is as the first replacement Bert in Mary Poppins. They're selling this show on the fact that it's The Broadway Cast, not on the names or even talents of any individual cast members.

^^
I meant huge names in NY to people who frequent musical theatre. Especially after winning and or being nominated for a Tony it sort of helps too. I knew about Gavin well before I went to New York. He was all over interviews on mainstream tv for HAIR but I knew him before that as well. Caissie Levy did Wicked on tour in LA and a few other things so i knew of her as well. Will also has done other stuff. I wouldn't expect they would be NAMES in London. I don't think I assumed Gavin Creel was a huge name in London. did I? If so, I did not mean to convey that. Gavin Creel is very popular in NY. He is a bonafied broadway star. I never said Mary Poppins was seen due to Gavin either. in NY it is still making 1.2 million a week so it is a popular show regardless.

my main point is that there are "unknowns" on both sides that neither country would know so to bring a whole cast over for a marketing tactic does not make a lot of sense.

Living in both countries I knew all about Michael Ball and when I would mention him in North America no one knew him. that was kind of my point. I think I am not articulating myself properly, so I apologize.

Maybe HAIR will pick up if they get some great London names in the cast. But if it is due to the production itself, maybe that won't help?

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