18/11/2009 03:37:00

The Broadway production of popular musical Hair is moving to London next year, bringing its New York actors with it to become the first production from the US city to transfer its entire cast to the West End.

London theatre-goers will be able to take in the flower power musical in true Broadway style as the New York show transfers its current actors to the south east England city, where it has not been performed at the West End for several years. The first ever London production was halted due to the collapse of the Shaftsbury Theatre's ceiling in 1973 and the play was briefly revived in 1993 and 2005, but has not seen a significant run for some time.

With an opening date of April 14, the new production is being helmed by Oskar Eustis, the artist director of The New York Public Theatre. Mr Eustis said: "To bring the Public's production of Hair back to London in 2010 means more to me than I can say."

Sir Cameron Mackintosh, a world-renowned theatre producer, spoke to the BBC of his pleasure at returning the musical to the UK stage, saying: "Little did I think when I was the production runner on the original production of Hair that 41 years later I would be bringing the Public Theater's acclaimed new production back to London."

As well as providing opportunities for Broadway actors to consider the UK theatrical scene, the move is expected to allow British performers the chance to tackle New York's esteemed Broadway theatre district.