Policeman Gives View Of ‘hair’ At Court... (Press, 10 March 1972)

A court hearing took place on 9 March 1972 in Auckland regarding the American musical "Hair," presented by Harry M. Miller Attractions, Ltd. The company faced charges of presenting an indecent show at a public venue without lawful justification or excuse on 26 February. The case was initiated by Detective Chief Inspector Edward Graham Perry, who provided a detailed account of the production during the proceedings. The hearing, presided over by Mr D. S. Sinclair in the Magistrate's Court, lasted for three hours. Perry testified as the police witness, explaining his experience watching the show from a gallery seat. He described the musical as featuring explicit language and actions, including simulations of sexual acts and drug references. One significant witness was Patrick John Booth, the editor of "Zealandia," a Catholic newspaper. He expressed his shock and disgust over the production's content, which involved scenes of simulated intercourse and nudity. He recounted instances where a member of the cast dressed as a woman mockingly protested against the show and described various indecent actions that took place. Perry presented physical evidence, including props used in the performance, which he highlighted during his testimony. He noted elements of the show, such as a scene where a character, Berger, drew a syringe through his arm and referred to various drugs. Another scene featured a pregnant character singing about her situation and receiving pills from a male character, further prompting complaints about the show's appropriateness. The defence, led by Mr L. W. Brown, Q.C., did not challenge the witness testimonies during the hearing. Instead, they reserved their defence after pleading not guilty. The company previously opted for a jury trial during an initial hearing on 2 March. Mr Sinclair decided to send the case to the Supreme Court for trial, scheduled to begin on 20 March and expected to last three days. The controversy surrounding "Hair" has drawn significant public attention, especially given its provocative content and the involvement of law enforcement. As the show continued its run in Auckland, discussions surrounding its implications and appropriateness in the context of societal values were expected to intensify in light of the ongoing legal proceedings.

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