The controversial hippie musical Hair, which set the standards for rock musicals when it was launched in 1967, is being performed at the Academy Theatre in Shepton Mallet.

Students at the Bristol Academy of Performing Arts will be performing Hair from Tuesday to Saturday, July 11.

The musical is famous for its anti-war stance, has a nude scene and publicity material warns that it contains adult themes.

The famous rock musical is a product of the hippie counter-culture and sexual revolution of the 1960s. Several of its songs became anthems of the anti-Vietnam War peace movement.

The musical's profanity, its depiction of the use of illegal drugs, its treatment of sexuality and its irreverence for the American flag caused much comment and controversy when it first appeared, but it broke new ground in musical theatre.

Hair tells the story of the "tribe", a group of politically active, long-haired hippies of the Age of Aquarius fighting against conscription to the Vietnam War and living a bohemian life together in New York City.

Claude will be played by Robin Walsh, Berger by Nick Morrison, Shelia by Georgie Rennolds/Emma Phillips, Woof by Tess Ford, Hud by Matt Knowles, Jeanie by Alice di Bernardo/Felicity Morecroft, Crissy by Alicia Taylor, Margaret Mead by Chloe Clarke and Hubert by Adam Lanfranchi alongside other performers playing the Tribe.

Productions have been staged around the world over the years and numerous recordings of the musical have been released.

More information can be obtained from the Academy Theatre on 01749 347984, and tickets can be bought from Shepton Mallet Tourist Information Centre on 01749 345258.