DeAngelo Jones, Shaq Taylor, Billy Nevers & KM Drew Boateng in HAMILTON UK TOUR. Photo Credit: Danny Kaan
With its inventive choreography, outstanding cast, and catchy hip-hop score, HAMILTON is both a revolution AND a revelation.
HAMILTON, Lin-Manuel Miranda’s story of the forgotten founding father finally comes to Manchester’s Palace Theatre – and it is absolutely worth the wait.
With direction by Thomas Kail and choreography by Andy Blankenbuehler, the show is a masterpiece from start to finish; bringing its iconic balcony set and music inspired by everything from hip-hop to blues, it’s easy to see why the show received a record 16 nominations at the Tony Awards in 2016, as well as a joint-record 7 Olivier Awards.
Telling the tale of Alexander Hamilton’s rags-to-riches rise from West Indian immigrant to becoming the first Treasury Secretary of the newly-formed United States of America will never sound like the most gripping tale, so it is testament to the creative team and every member of the cast that it keeps you hooked from start to finish.
Born in 1757 and orphaned by age 13, Hamilton (Shaq Taylor) must build his own life and does so by investing in what he does best – writing. Along the way, he encounters the men who will help him, including but not limited to the Marquis De Lafayette (Billy Nevers), Hercules Mulligan (KM Drew Boateng), and John Laurens (DeAngelo Jones). Perhaps most important of all is the man who will one day become his adversary, Aaron Burr (Sam Oladeinde). However, the quintet are just the tip of the iceberg for what is a simply stellar cast.
Charles Simmons as George Washington in HAMILTON UK TOUR. Photo Credit: Danny Kaan
Taylor is magnificent. The hip-hop element naturally leads to a very wordy show and, since the audience is fed a lot of information (particularly in the first act), it is crucial to the storytelling that nothing is lost. Taylor’s diction and rhythmic control ensure that nothing is, but it is his acting throughout that really amazes. There is a reason that Aaron Burr says “talk less, smile more” – Hamilton has plenty to say, yet his emotional journey is clear and carried out in sublime fashion. Burr, on the other hand, prefers to avoid rocking the boat, building his career slowly.
That said, Oladeinde is the perfect foil to Taylor’s brashness. His calm demeanor, broken by brilliant moments of emotion, allows him to really build through the show. Such emotional moments do stand out, with ‘Wait for It’ a real explosion of passion before the two characters begin to travel on their contrasting paths.
Hamilton’s love interests, the Schuyler sisters Angelica and Eliza (Aisha Jawando and Maya Britto respectively), are equally wonderful: Jawando has a powerful sass that she opposes with moments of desperation and pain, whilst Britto’s initial innocence is broken by the modern classic, ‘Burn’. As she allows her anger to escape, refusing to play the victim, the audience can clearly see exactly what she is going through. Neither of the pair allow the music to carry them, with Britto’s superb vocals shining through and Jawando effortlessly flowing from rap to gorgeous belt.
Maya Britto, Aisha Jawando & Gabriela Benedetti in HAMILTON UK TOUR. Photo Credit: Danny Kaan
It would be unfair to mention just a few from the cast, yet impossible to do them all justice. The ensemble dancers are in perfect synchronicity for the entire show, performing Blankenbuehler’s fluid, slick choreography with apparent ease. Like the music, the style changes constantly and it is a credit to them that their high level is maintained throughout.
Both the choreography and the direction deserve their own mention too: from larger scale numbers where moves mimic the lyrics, such as ‘My Shot’, to the subtle moments thrown in to build relationships between characters, everything is thought of and delivered to perfection.
It tells you everything you need to know about how good the show is that fan-favourite King George (Daniel Boys) is mentioned as far down as this, but that is not a comment on their performance at all. ‘You’ll Be Back’ is excellent, both vocally and in terms of timing, with Boys having complete control of the audience. Likewise, Nevers’ Lafayette (and later Thomas Jefferson) brings comedic brilliance coupled with rapping that will blow you away. As stated, every member of the cast could get their own mention. The show is flawless.
HAMILTON is both a revolution AND a revelation. Get tickets whilst you still can.
HAMILTON runs at the Palace Theatre, Manchester, until 24 February 2023
Michael is a working actor. He studied Drama at Edge Hill University and his main passions are music, sport and acting. Alongside acting, Michael DJs around Manchester and, if not there, is usually found watching football or cricket!
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