Book, Music & Lyrics: Lin-Manuel Miranda
Choreographer: Andy Blankenbuehler
Director: Thomas Kail
The musical that answers the question: “How does a Bastard, orphan, son of a whore and a Scotsman, dropped in the middle of a forgotten spot in the Caribbean by providence, impoverished, in squalor, grow up to be a hero and a scholar?” Hamilton has finally arrived in Scotland’s biggest city.
Every superlative in the book has been thrown at this theatrical mega-hit and deservedly so. A decade on from its first outing at The Public Theatre in New York, there is no way that any other than the clairvoyant could have predicted the impact that Lin-Manuel Miranda’s musical would have on the theatrical landscape, blending as it does Hip Hop, R&B, pop, soul and traditional musical theatre.
The musical narrates the life of Alexander Hamilton, “the ten-dollar Founding Father without a father”. Over two acts and nearly three hours, it covers his almost unbelievable rise to power, through his involvement in the American Revolutionary War as an aide-de-camp to George Washington to his appointment as the first Secretary of the Treasury, his marriage to his wife Eliza, his work as a lawyer and his relationship with Aaron Burr which ultimately leads to his demise.
With an almost perfect reputation to maintain, it is clear from the first note that this is a production of infinite quality. Each and every actor cast perfectly. The company soar when singing as one, providing goosebump raising moments throughout. The band are spectacular sounding, the choreography innovative and dynamic, contributing to the running time flashing by in the blink of an eye. Standout among an universally standout cast are Billy Nevers as Aaron Burr, Akmed Junior Khemalai as George Washington and Chastity Crisp as Angelica Schuyler. Marley Fenton’s Hamilton is strong and Louis Maskell raises the roof in musical theatre’s jammiest role, King George.
This is a work that stands up to the hype and continues to deliver roof-raising ovations night after night. Truly unmissable.
Runs until 27 December 2025 | Image: Danny Khan
