[Mb-hair] Visceral connections

[Martin Eayrs]

Michael writes


>Martin & Richard,
>Some comments: The Foreman film was troubled with a bad script which had a
>lack of connection with Claude. We were lucky to have Milos do the film. He
>was approved by all including the authors. The great trouble was the loss of
>Hal Ashby as Director and the troubles at Paramount which did not allow us
>to use Colin Higgins as the Director.
>
>Tom's revival in late 70's was produced by me and I know well what its
>problems were. The same mistakes will probably be made by the next
>production. Michael


I suppose I am looking at this from the relatively sane position of 
someone who is not contemplating mounting a production of HAiR. If 
Richard is, then the best of luck to him and I for one shall be in 
the front row of the stalls when he opens.

My only point - perhaps obvious - was that there are various ways to 
measure success. Commercial success is one, maintaining what one 
feels to be artistic integrity is another. But Hollywood shows us 
that you don't have to be good to be successful and you don't have to 
be successful to be good.  Relative terms, perhaps, but you will get 
my point.

Going back to earlier posts, I think Richard is concerned about how 
young actors (and audiences) can engage emotionally with an era long 
gone. It's a tough call - we live in a time of instant gratification, 
where all texts are soundbytes, role models are mediocre, 
pre-manufactured soap and pop stars and lyrics are an irritating 
adjunct to the beat. The whole world seems to be suffering from ADDH 
and political commitment has been replaced by political correctness. 
Or so I see it today, but it might have been the beers I had tonight 
(we have some good beer in the UK but we crossed paths tonight).

My gut tells me that with a flexible show like HAiR you have to get 
the actors together with some kind of script and see where they can 
take it. If it flies, fine, if not, well do something else. Wasn't 
that the genesis of HAiR in 1966/7? Of course a group of actors today 
is unlikely to take it the same way, so you won't get the same thing 
- which should surprise no one.

But I'm not thinking of putting any money into a production of HAiR - 
and even if I had any, would probably want to do something new.

Which may sound like treachery ...

Best,

Martin






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