The musical famously opened one day after the abolition of theatre censorship in the UK in September 1968. Previously, its scenes of nudity and drug-taking, along with blasphemous and sexually explicit language, would have fallen foul of the Lord Chamberlain's office - which licensed all stage productions.
The current Broadway revival started its run last summer, and has been extended three times. Artistic director of The New York Public Theater, Oskar Eustis said: "To bring the Public's production of Hair back to London in 2010 means more to me than I can say."
Theatrical impresario Sir Cameron Mackintosh said: "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."
He added that the anti-Vietnam war sentiments of the original show were now "morphed into the world's concern at what's happening in Afghanistan".
Switched Off - Organisers of Birmingham's Christmas lights switch-on have faced criticism after about 60 people were injured during a performance by the group JLS. The free event at Millennium Point was swamped by more than 20,000 revellers. As crowds surged to get into the packed square, barriers gave way leaving four people needing hospital treatment and scores of others injured. Birmingham City Council defended the decision to abandon the event and said an investigation had been started. A number of other chart acts, including Calvin Harris, Tinchy Stryder and Natalie Imbruglia had been booked to appear at the event, but it was stopped after the chaotic crowd scenes towards the end of JLS' performance.
Doctor Cocker - Former Pulp frontman Jarvis Cocker has been given an honorary degree in his home city of Sheffield. The singer picked up the doctorate at Sheffield Hallam University. Cocker, who has also had success as a solo artist and radio producer, studied at the institution when it was Sheffield Polytechnic. Receiving his certificate at a ceremony at City Hall, the 46-year-old said: "I'm called a doctor now. Don't worry, I won't open a surgery."
And finally: Sting Theory - Sting has called the X Factor "televised karaoke" and said judges like Simon Cowell have "no recognisable talent apart from self-promotion". The singer told London's Evening Standard that the Saturday night show was "a soap opera which has nothing to do with music".
He added: "I am sorry but none of those kids are going to go anywhere, and I say that sadly."
Simon Cowell rejected Sting's comments on the following Saturday night show and invited him to come and share the benefit of his knowledge to the contestants at any time.
(Jim Evans)
