Our youngest daughter is a huge fan of musicals. Some of our friends and relatives had been to watch Hamilton at the Palace Theatre in Manchester before Christmas and had recommended the show to our daughter. It was a bit of a struggle to book tickets so long after the release date and a huge expense, but we did manage to buy tickets. And we were so glad we did!
Hamilton
Having assumed we would be unable to get tickets for Hamilton at the Palace in Manchester, we went ahead and watched the film some weeks ago. The film is available on Disney Plus and is a recording of a live Broadway performance in 2016. I am actually really glad we watched the film. The story can be a little difficult to follow if you don’t know the history. I think my 10-year-old daughter would have struggled to follow the story had she not seen the film prior to watching the theatre performance.
The premise of the story is America’s version of the Revolutionary War and the creation of the United States of America. It is not necessarily a fully historical account of events. As a historian, this usually bothers me. But in the case of Hamilton, this did not bother me in the slightest. The story follows the journey of Alexander Hamilton, one of the founding fathers who has been largely ignored by popular narratives. His life was truly a fascinating one!
The production will have you laughing and crying. Beautifully written, you’ll find yourself rooting for Alexander Hamilton, our protagonist as he struggles to improve his position in life.
After a successful run on Broadway 2015 – 2017 and a season at the West End in 2017, Hamilton embarked on an international tour in 2023.
Hamilton was written by Lin-Manuel Miranda who you might recognise as Jack in Mary Poppins Returns. The story itself is based on a 2004 biography of Alexander Hamilton written by Ron Chernow.
Music
A lot of the music used in the musical falls into the R&B or hip-hop category. Some of the characters perform raps which are incredibly impressive! There are some pop songs and soul-inspired songs too. The show also draws inspiration from more traditional show tunes. In sum, there is a huge variety of musical styles and genres and everyone will undoubtedly find their favourite among the many, beautifully written and carefully crafted songs. There are a whopping 46 to choose from!
One of our favourite songs is ‘You’ll Be Back’ performed by the character of King George III who is one the antagonists in the narrative. I am also fond of the song ‘Non-Stop’. It is a very energetic and powerful song and coupled with the choreography and set, it really does give me chills.
Hamilton at the Palace Theatre, Manchester
As was the case on Broadway, Hamilton at the Palace, Manchester features an impressive moving set. The centre of the set includes a revolving stage which enables to cast to do so much more with the set. The lighting is used to full effect. For example, it is used in the fighting scenes to create the illusion of gun warfare which is fascinating. Parts of the set, such as the balconies are sometimes moved. These manoeuvres look incredibly complicated yet assist in the telling of the story.
The Cast
The cast for this tour is full of talent. Shaq Taylor who plays Alexander Hamilton is an incredibly given young man (in fact, we preferred him to Lin-Manuel Miranda who played Hamilton on Broadway). He was able to convincingly play both a young Hamilton and an older Hamilton. His delivery of the character as he aged was incredible.
Eliza Hamilton was played by Maya Britto. Maya has an amazing voice. She brought such elegance to the role and her delivery of one of the most moving songs in the show, ‘Burn’ was very powerful. There wasn’t a dry eye in the house! Aisha Jawando played Angelica. She sang what we think, is one of the most difficult songs to perform, ‘Satisfied’. It is a fast-paced song which draws upon a whole range of genres of music. There is some rapping in this song and Aisha was spellbinding!
Charles Simmons played George Washington. He was incredibly convincing as a General! Like all the cast, he had a powerful and awe-inspiring voice. We particularly loved Daniel Boys’ portrayal of King George III. As soon as he walked onto the stage, he was met with rapturous applause. I can imagine this puts a lot of pressure on the actor to make sure he gets it right! Daniel did an incredible job with this comedic role. He played the role differently to the film, which worked really well. Daniel was very funny and had us all crying with laughter!
The rest of the main cast we also amazing in their respective roles. Special mention needs to be given to the ensemble. The energy with which they performed was exhausting to watch! The ensemble was constantly in the background, or moving pieces of the set in a seamless way. Their choreography was impeccable and their voices really did make the production what it was.
Accessibility
Friendly and helpful staff were on hand to assist those visitors with disabilities. Upon entering the theatre, staff pointed us towards the ramp rather than using the steps. There are lifts throughout the building should you need to use them. As in any old theatre, the seats are quite small. This is something to be aware of.
Parking
There is an NCP car park about 250 yards from the theatre. Parking is pricey. We paid £10.95 for a 4-hour stay! But parking in Manchester City Centre is expensive. There is a loading point outside the theatre which is handy for those with limited mobility.
We would highly recommend getting a ticket to see Hamilton at the Palace Theatre Manchester if you can! We have a 10-year-old daughter, and it was age-appropriate for her and she absolutely loved the show and the whole experience of going to the theatre! It’s a show you will certainly remember!
