Nearly six decades after it first burst onto Broadway in 1968, and 57 years after it shocked Sydney audiences with its Australian premiere, the rock musical Hair is returning to the Harbour City.
The Grammy and Tony Award-winning “tribal love-rock musical” arrives at the Theatre Royal with a powerful question hanging over it: can a show born out of the Vietnam War, flower power and the counterculture revolution still resonate in the age of Donald Trump, Ukraine and the Middle East, artificial intelligence and social media?
Its producers certainly hope so.
When Hair first appeared almost 60 years ago, it was nothing short of revolutionary. Created by Gerome Ragni, James Rado and composer Galt MacDermot, the musical challenged theatrical conventions with its anti-war message, frank discussions of race and sexuality, and its celebration of youthful rebellion. It quickly became a cultural phenomenon, capturing the spirit of the 1960s while giving voice to a generation questioning authority and demanding change.
The soundtrack became just as influential as the show itself. Songs including Aquarius, Good Morning Starshine, Let the Sunshine In, I Got Life and the title song Hair became international hits, topping charts and embedding themselves in popular culture. For many who came of age in the late 1960s and 1970s, they remain anthems of optimism, protest and social change.
Australia embraced Hair with equal enthusiasm. The original local productions generated controversy, headlines and packed houses, while also helping launch the careers of some of Australia’s biggest entertainment names. Marcia Hines, Reg Livermore, John Waters, Lyndsay Field and Sylvie Paladino all appeared in early productions, cementing their place in Australian theatre history.
Today, the issues may look different, but many of the themes remain surprisingly familiar. The story follows a tribe of young hippies navigating questions of war, identity, racism, freedom and social justice while resisting the pressures of a society they see as intolerant and violent. Their struggles with alienation, civil disobedience and youthful idealism continue to echo through contemporary debates.
Director Glenn Elston, who also directs this new Australian production, believes the show’s message is as relevant as ever.
“I’ve always had a very personal connection to Hair,” Elston says. “It’s the soundtrack of my youth during a time really close to my heart. Revisiting it now, I’m reminded how fearless this show was back then and how much it still matters today.”
Elston points directly to the show’s anti-war themes as one reason for its continuing appeal.
“Hair is the anti-war musical that helped focus the world on the futility of the Vietnam War and gave a young generation—and their parents alike—a voice to protest against being sent to fight and die in this senseless war. I think we would all agree that voice is needed again right now.”
That sentiment may strike a chord in a world grappling with conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, political division, climate anxiety and rapidly advancing technology. While the flower-power aesthetic belongs firmly to another era, the questions Hair asks about humanity, freedom and the future feel remarkably contemporary.
The Sydney season follows an acclaimed Melbourne run and features a new generation of performers led by Maxwell Simon as Berger, Alex Cooper as Claude, Elizabeth Brennan as Sheila and Tane Williams-Accra as Hud.
Whether audiences come for nostalgia, the unforgettable music or the chance to revisit one of the most influential musicals ever written, Hair offers more than a trip down memory lane. It remains a vibrant reminder that every generation faces its own battles—and that music, theatre and protest can still be powerful forces for change.
HAIR – The Tribal Love-Rock Musical
Where: Theatre Royal Sydney, 108 King Street, Sydney
When: From June 6, 2026
Ticket Prices: From $69 plus booking fee
Season: Strictly limited season
Running Time: Approximately 2 hours 30 minutes including interval (check with venue closer to opening)
Website: www.hairthemusical.com.au
