CityLife Award nominated Manchester musical Hair is transferring to London following its acclaimed debut up north.
The production, created by the city's first space dedicated to musicals Hope Mill Theatre, is heading for an off-West End theatre this autumn following rave reviews of its Manchester run.
Hope Mill Theatre's owners Joseph Houston and William Whelton created their take on the classic with two London producers - Aria’s Katy Lipson and Senbla’s Ollie Rosenblatt - and they take it to capital as the musical celebrates its 50th anniversary.
The Vaults theatre will open Hair on October 4, 2017 and the production will run until December 3, 2017. It is the first time one of Hope Mill Theatre's original productions has transferred to London.
The London theatre will also be dressed in the mood of the play, transformed into a mini Woodstock and immersive 1960s environment with artwork and music, and by a pop up market selling themed drinks, retro records, and even tie-dye and hippy fashions from the era.
Hair: The Musical follows a group of young people living in New York's East Village as they strive for creative freedom and social liberation in the shadow of the Vietnam War.
The show, which has also been shortlisted for Best Musical at the annual Manchester Theatre Awards and was a finalist in The Stage's annual awards, features classic songs Aquarius, Let the Sun Shine In, and Good Morning Star Shine.
Speaking about the news, the Hope Mill Theatre team said: “We were overwhelmed by the reaction to our vibrant young production of Hair - and it deserved a future.
"We saw The Vaults and knew this continually topical and moving musical needed to be celebrated in London as it hits 50."
Joseph and Will also attribute the spike in interest in musical theatre to one very popular movie - La La Land. "We’re in a mill in Ancoats," they added, "I think people love that contrast between where we are and the productions we’re putting on.
"I think we’re showing that Mancunians love a song and a dance."
