Michael Butler, producer of Hair, said yesterday that he was planning to bring back the Living Theater, and avant-garde repertory group, from a self-imposed European exile to an Off-Broadway house in the fall or winter.

The troupe has been appearing abroad since it's founders and directors, Julian Beck and his wife Judith Malina, served jail sentences in 1964 for failure to pay $23,000 in taxes to the Internal Revenue Service and were held in contempt of court.

Saul Gottleib, local representative of the Becks, said tax officials had accepted $2,500 from a benefactor as part payment.  Restitution of the remaining $20,500 will come from Mr. and Mrs. Beck, Mr. Gottleib said.

The Living Theater will be seen at the Avignon (France) Festival from July 24 to August 15 in four plays that will be performed here.  Mr. Butler said he would leave for Avignon at the end of the month to attend rehearsals.  the plays are "Paradise Now," "Mysteries and Smaller Pieces," "Frankenstein," and "Antigone."

"Paradise Now" represents the collective authorship of the Living Theater company about the creation of an ideal society.  "Mysteries and Smaller Pieces", described as an anarchistic drama, also was originated by the company.  "Frankenstein" was adapted by Miss Malina and Mr. Beck from Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley's novel.  "Antigone" to be acted in modern dress,  was translated by Miss Malina from Bertolt Brecht's version of the Sophocles tragedy.

A committee has been formed to raise $18,000 to bring the 33 players and their eight babies to New York.  So far, $9,000 has been obtained.  The committee includes Mr. Gottlieb, Beverly Landau, David C. Stone, Karl Bissinger, and Bruce Grund.

Resumption of the Living Theater here last october was announced by Roger Euster, but it did not take place.

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