Review: Hamilton at The Palace Theatre ‘smashes expectations in a spectacular Manchester debut’

Hamilton lands in Manchester, weaving together history, unbelievable talent, and a spellbinding soundtrack that will knock your socks off.

It’s fair to say there’s been a lot of anticipation and hype around this much-celebrated musical landing in Manchester.

And given its illustrious history, it’s not difficult to see why.

The production has scooped JUST the 11 Tony Awards, seven Olivier Awards, the 2016 Pulitzer Prize for Drama, and the 2016 Grammy Award for Best Musical Theatre Album.

Can’t knock that, can you?

So when it crash landed at the Palace Theatre last night on 21st November, would it live up to the hype?

Hamilton the Musical Lands in Manchester

Lin-Manuel Miranda’s multi-award-winning musical has finally arrived in the best city in the UK, and the excitement surrounding its debut is entirely justified.

We are thrown headfirst into the world of one of America’s Founding Fathers Alexander Hamilton, an immigrant from the West Indies, who became George Washington’s right-hand man during the Revolutionary War.

The plot follows Hamilton’s remarkable rise from an orphaned, impoverished immigrant in the Caribbean to becoming a key figure in the American Revolution and the first Secretary of the Treasury.

The inner journey of Alexander Hamilton is a central theme, depicting his relentless pursuit of success, his battles with personal demons, and the complexities of his relationships.

This journey is wonderfully portrayed by Shaq Taylor, who articulates the inner and outer battles of a complex, brilliant, but ultimately flawed man with flair, finesse and dexterity.

The musical explores themes of ambition, legacy, and the impact of choices on one’s life.

Hamilton’s inner journey is a dynamic narrative that reflects the triumphs and tragedies of a man who played a pivotal role in shaping the nation’s history.

From the moment the curtains rise, the audience is taken on a riveting journey through the life of Alexander Hamilton, whose story is as compelling as it is revolutionary.

You can get your tickets by clicking HERE

An Incredible Cast Full of Talent

The cast, a stellar ensemble of talent, breathes life into these wonderful historical figures.

What is so apparent from the moment the music starts is the INCREDIBLE Talent of all of the singers.

There is not a bum note all night, and the singing wouldn’t sound out of place on any pop star’s record.

Shaq Taylor as Alexander Hamilton embodies the essence of ambition and resilience, with an august performance that spans Hamilton’s incredible life.

He is flawless, carrying the intense emotions of a turbulent life with tremendous skill and power.

Also, can we get a word in for the costume design? Damn, it is beautiful.

Sam Oladeinde as Aaron Burr delivers a performance that is both powerful and nuanced.

Living in Hamilton’s shadow throughout the play, he perfectly embodies the raging green jealousy as he is outmanoeuvred by the brilliant mind of Alex Hamilton Throughout.

The silk-tongued Burr is a former mentor turned nemesis in this musical showdown.

Their dynamic unfolds with delicious complexity, revealing that real life, unlike typical musical tales, is a nuanced interplay of flawed characters.

Much like a masterfully crafted playlist, ‘Hamilton’ refuses to linger in a single groove for too long.

The entrance of the Schuyler sisters – Eliza, Hamilton’s future wife, and the spirited soulmate Angelica – injects a dose of sassy ’90s R&B, momentarily shifting the narrative spotlight from the bloke-centric tale.

Then, enter Charles Simmons’s thunderous George Washington, a colossal, soulful presence that towers above Hamilton and his ceaseless quarrels, adding a whole new dimension to the unfolding symphony.

As for the three Schuyler sisters, Peggy (Gabriela Bendetti), Eliza (Maya Britto) and Angelica (Aisha Jawando), can you please release a record?

The singing and harmonies they perform are movingly beautiful. Just wow!

The kind of performance that gets you up into the front of your seat, just for a chance to catch something more.

Eliza performs with incredible grace and emotion, when she sings it’s hard to keep your eyes dry.

Gabriela Benedetti plays a devious and mischievous James Maddison as the second fiddle to the wonderful Billy Nevers.

Billy is witty, hilarious, sassy and everything you’d want from this kind of performance. Bravo.

In a show awash with incredible high water marks, Daniel Boys as King George, please take a bow.

His acidic sourpuss songs after Britain loses the USA ‘You’ll Be Back’ leaves the audience in absolute stitches, rolling about their seats as the comedic timing is absolutely spot on.

And to my annoyance today, it’s an incredible catchy song, with almost a Beatles Ballad air.

It’s a brilliant performance from him and breaks up the ‘more serious stuff’.

Spell-binding Choreography

Under the expert direction of Thomas Kail, the choreography by Andy Blankenbuehler brings the stage to life with energy and precision.

There are parts in the performance that are truly mesmerising and credit must go to the incredible cast of ensembles and swing.

There are points where their writhing movements and dance moves really add so much to the performance, and really add an aspect to the show.

The musical supervision and orchestrations by Alex Lacamoire bring oodles of skill and excitement to the experience, creating a symphony that augments what is already a visual feast.

Ingenious Soundtrack

The ingenious fusion of hip-hop, jazz, blues, rap, R&B, and Broadway seamlessly weaves together the tale of America’s birth, as told by the voices of today.

Lin-Manuel Miranda’s and the cast’s brilliance shines through in every aspect of “Hamilton,” from the captivating storyline to the musical genius that permeates every note.

It truly is a show so awash with incredible talent, you’ll be thinking about it for days after you see it.

The score, a diverse and harmonious blend of genres, elevates the narrative and adds layers of emotion to every scene.

The iconic tracks like “Satisfied,” “You’ll Be Back,” “Burn,” and the eponymous “Alexander Hamilton” leave an indelible mark on the audience’s hearts.

“Hamilton” promotes immigration by celebrating Alexander Hamilton’s remarkable journey from a Caribbean immigrant to a Founding Father.

In one of the songs, a verse saying “Immigrants get things done” provokes one of the biggest cheers of the night from a whooping audience, which was absolutely wonderful to be a part of.

And with the current press and government we have, it’s nice to celebrate all the wonderful things immigration brings to our country.

The musical’s diverse casting and inclusive storytelling challenge stereotypes, emphasising the universal pursuit of the American Dream.

Through its engaging narrative and diverse musical styles, “Hamilton” encourages empathy, actively showcasing the positive impact of immigrants and fostering a broader understanding of their contributions to the nation’s history. Rock on.

This spellbinding production of a classic is on at the Palace Theatre for an incredible 15 weeks (from November 21st to 24th Feb), so you’ve got plenty of chance to get stuck in and see a bit of history.

Can we also get a word in for how beautiful the Palace Theatre is? It’s a superb setting for a brilliant show. Hats off to the team.

You can get your tickets by clicking HERE

Honestly, it’s a transformative experience, and it’s very easy to see why it’s been so lauded (not just in this review) but by theatregoers worldwide.

Did we miss something? Let us know: [email protected]

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