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14 August 2025
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3 1/2 ***
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There can be no denying that ‘Hamilton’ has been a phenomenal success, gaining multiple awards across the world and now on its first UK tour. The story of Alexander Hamilton, one of America’s founding fathers, is perfect for the purposes of dramatisation; the tale of a man born into poverty who works his way almost to the top seat in government helping free the States from the colonialization of British rule along the way. The show famously uses a punchy score which integrates rap with more conventional songs. It is high energy and the audience is presented with a company who work incredibly hard. With book, music and lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda, it takes on the mantle of an epic piece of theatre. This is a detailed story of the formation of the United States and, as such it is involved and requires attention.
From the off, the rapping is something the ears have to attune to, it is not easy to pick up the lyrics – when you do they are smart and clever in their story-telling. However, the speed at which most of these lyrics are sung does not allow the brain time to process them all and so you only get the gist of the story. Is the gist good enough? I don’t think so. Thus, early on, I found it deeply frustrating that I was unable to follow what was going on in the detail I would wish.
As Hamilton, Marley Fenton has great presence and offers a likeable characterisation of an ambitious man who is not without fault. His singing is full of power and with great clarity. As Aaron Burr, his friend/colleague/opponent, Billy Nevers also controls the stage with his voice and passion, as does the impressive Ahmed Junior Khemalai as George Washington. Sydney Spencer brings plenty of emotion to the role of Hamilton’s wife, Eliza; she is full of gentle determination and tolerance. In the dual roles of Lafayette and the dandy, Thomas Jefferson, Ashley J Daniels has huge fun and provides some lighter moments to the proceedings. As the villain of the piece, King George III is portrayed as a blithering idiot, a one-dimensional ‘Spitting Image’ figure – a cartoon of the James Gillray sort. Famously the king became pray to erratic behaviour and flights of fancy due to illness and he was far from being an imbecile; the writer presumably decides to have fun here and portray him as a pantomime baddie – how much licence is taken with other characters is difficult to say, so what you see is not necessarily historically accurate. Louis Maskell gurns his way through the role, but it jars badly.
The show is choreographed up to its neck – over choreographed? – it is inventive and rarely stops – it is something else which gets rather in the way of the story-telling – but maybe that doesn’t matter. Lighting, costumes and set are all designed with great style and consistency and ensures that the stage is a visual feast. The orchestra must end with sore lips and fingers – under Zach Flis they are magnificent. As a company, it is difficult to recall one which works harder.
This reviewer is very conflicted with this show; there is so much to like, but when the fascinating story suffers by the style drowning the substance from time to time it is difficult to love the show. There is no real emotional connection with the characters either, should the audience not feel something? Whether this is the fault of the writing or the concept is for others to figure out, but there is a lukewarm relationship with them.
That all said, it is an impressive production with high production values and when the battle to follow the words pauses to hear more lyrical songs, there is great beauty in what those words are.
Cast
Alexander Hamilton – Marley Fenton
Aaron Burr – Billy Nevers
Eliza Hamilton – Sydney Spencer
Angelica Schuyler – Chastity Crisp
George Washington – Ahmed Junior Khemalai
Marquis de Lafayette/Thomas Jefferson – Ashley J Daniels
Hercules Mulligan/James Madison – Michael James Stewart
John Laurens/Philip Hamilton – Shak Mancel James
Peggy Schuyler/Maria Reynolds – Sylvie Stenson
King George – Louis Maskell
Ensemble – Patrick Munday, Chris Otim, Castell Parker, Izzy Read, Harry Robinson, Imogen Rose Hart, Phoebe Samuel-Gray, Ethan Vlin, Lashane Williams, Ynez Williams, Sian Yeo
Creatives
Book, Music, Lyrics – Lin-Manuel Miranda
Director – Thomas Kail
Choreographer – Andy Blankenbuehler
Scenic Design – David Korins
Costume Design – Paul Tazewell
Lighting Design – Howell Binkley
Sound Design – Nevin Steinberg
Musical Director – Zach Flis
Photo Credit – Danny Kaan
