The Hope Mill Theatre, the newest fringe theatre to join the arts scene up in Manchester, are launching the iconic musical Hair this Christmas.
Following their highly successful production of Parade, that brought people from all over the country to Manchester, this Christmas they are letting the sun shine in with one of the most groundbreaking musicals to grace the stage. Set in New York in 1967, it is the tale of a group of hippies celebrating peace and love in the shadow of the Vietnam War.
Hair was one of the first productions to break the mould in creating a rock musical. It’s soundtrack is incredibly established in the musical theatre industry.
After winning a Hospital Club Award for theatre and performance co-owners of the Hope Mill Theatre Joseph Houston and Will Whelton will be producing the show alongside new resident producer, Katy Lipson of Aria Entertainment. The Hope Mill Theatre is an intimate space that creates immersive and exciting theatre that truly connects to audiences across the country.
Leading the cast will be Ryan Anderson (Galileo, We Rill Rock You) as Berger, and alongside him Linford Johnson (Showboat – West End, Alice’s Adventures Underground – Les Enfants Terribles) will be taking on the role of Hud. Joining them on stage is Laura Johnson (Grease – Magnetic Theatre) as Sheila, and Robert Metson (Barricade Boys, The Sound of Music International Tour) as Claude.
Returning to the Hope Mill Theatre as the role of Dionne after her stellar performance in Parade, is Shekinah McFarlane, and Chloe Carrington (Spring Awakening – Chelsea Theatre) will play Jeanie. The rest of the cast include Kristen Wright (Elaine Page 50th Anniversary Farewell Tour) as Crissy, and Liam Ross Mills (Rocky Horror Show European Tour and Ushers – The Front Of House Musical) as Woof.
Directed by Jonathan O’Boyle (Four Play, Sense of an Ending at Theatre503, The Surplus at the Young Vic and Associate Director on Mack & Mabel, The Scottsboro Boys and The Judas Kiss), it is bound to be a colourful and vibrant production that is on from the 12th of November to the 3rd of December, and tickets can be found here.
In other news, Hope Mill Theatre have just announced their 2017 Christmas show, which will be the official UK premiere of broadway musical Little Women. Based on Louisa May Alcott’s classic 1869 novel, it tells the story of fighting young writer Jo March who goes out to get published in a world dominated by male writers. The score is glorious and the production is heartwarming, triumphant and moving. Little Women will also be produced by Aria Entertainment and runs from the 9th of November to the 9th of December.
The Hope Mill Theatre have also announced their other two other productions for next year including World War Two love story, Yank! (9 March to 8 April 2017), and new musical The Stationmaster (7 September to 30 September 2017).
