

You can hate rap music and you can hate historical narratives, but we’re willing to bet you’ll love Hamilton. You don’t need to have listened to the Hamilton Soundtrack obsessively, either. On a more tender, intimate level, it’s a story of outsiders – the unlikely immigrant versus the overlooked misfit who kills him – and there’s nothing more British than rooting for an underdog. Hamilton weaves the historical facts into a study of ideals and legacy, an all too potent reminder to our current leaders and revolutionaries that immigrants can change the world, and that history has its eyes on them. You don’t need to know anything about the US constitution to be enthralled by the life of this particular founding father (though you will learn lots from the show). Photo by Matthew MurphyĪny trepidation that this inherently American story would fall flat for Brits disappears in the roars of rapturous laughter that greet King George’s (Michael Jibson) petulant love song to his errant empire. And Rachel Johnson’s stunning vocals as Angelica ensure that women shine just as bright. Giles Terera is equally remarkable as a lispy Aaron Burr, with his political opacity and increasing frustration at being shut out of power. He brings a long-limbed urgency to the role of Alexander Hamilton, swaggering and scrapping like a feral tom cat, morphing into a man of letters, finally mellowing into bereavement with heart-breaking tenderness. Though historical characters such as George Washington and Thomas Jefferson are dressed with period drama flourish (long hair, breeches, shiny buttons), they are played by a young cast of predominantly black and asian actors.Ģ5-year old Londoner Jamael Westman, who had just two small stage credits to his name, is every bit as phenomenal as the character he plays.


The artistry of the rhythm harks back to Shakespeare, Racine and Goethe while simultaneously celebrating hip-hop culture.

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It’s full two and half hours of verse, either rapped or sung. Yet the most audacious achievement is the way in which the show channels traditions and history with such freshness. The model of musical theatre is expanded to reflect the diverse rhythms of 21st-century popular music. Revolution, diplomacy, and politics vibrate with hip hop, rap battles, ballads and street slang. We were primed for a jaw-dropping experience and oh wow does it deliver.Ĭentre: Jamael Westman as Alexander Hamilton. Lin-Manuel Miranda wrote the book, music and lyrics based on Alexander Hamilton, a book telling the extraordinary story of an orphaned West Indian immigrant who became a Founding Father of America.īut Hamilton on stage is anything but staid, dour history.
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Receive free tickets & insider tips to unlock the best of London - direct to your inbox Try itīut, the real fuel to the Hamilton phenomenon is the show’s ability to ignite the public imagination and blaze through popular culture: Barack Obama loves the show Beyonce is a huge fan a whole hoard of hip-hop artists created a Hamilton Mixtape in homage of the soundtrack.Ĭue prolific West End producer Cameron Mackintosh, who spent £30 million refurbishing the Victoria Palace Theatre ready for the London transfer of this surefire blockbuster.
