REVIEW: Hamilton Hits London!

Hamilton, the global phenomenon, has finally premiered in London’s Victoria Palace Theatre last night, after too long of a wait for many die hard fans. About two years wait if you’re like me and brought the soundtrack upon its first release all the way back in September 2015. It feels like an age since I got my tickets in the initial pre sale all the way back in January 2017, but after all the expectations could this new cast keep the momentum of his musical Goliath going?…

Well first of all it’s important to notice that this won’t be a carbon copy of the Broadway production with Lin-Manuel Miranda and the original cast. So if you’re expecting this to be just a listening party of the original soundtrack, why? Why would you ever think that?! But it’s not, so tough. Instead it’s another step in the expansion of Hamilton. The small tweaks the cast and members of the production have included has somehow managed to make the show seem more three dimensional than the experience of the soundtrack alluded to.

The stunning interior of the newly refurbished Victoria Place Theatre

However I do have to address the paperless ticket system. Whilst a bit of a pain, has its benefits in its attempts to curb ticket scouters, and if you are ready and prepared for it with your email, ID and payment card does work out quite well. The interior of the Victoria theatre is stunning, even featuring a gin bar… If a musical wasn’t enough to get most Londoners out to the west end any night of the week, the promise you gin certainly won’t hinder anything.

After my experience at my performance, I wholeheartedly recommend seeing this musical now, as I’ve never quite seen a crowd respond with the love and enthusiasm the fans of Hamilton bombarded the cast with that night. You could tell these were the true fans of the show; They knew the melodies, all the songs and some of lyrics better than the understudies probably, and it added another element to the show which I’d never experienced to such an intensity as I did that night.

Every single casting decision in this production is an absolute perfect match for these roles and can easily contend with the original cast, for me there are four distinctive wins;

1. Obioma Ugoala’s (George Washington) voice is one of the best throughout the show, and is certainly a match for the original voice of Christopher Jackson who held the role in New York. This bold voice stands out above all others in the cast, whilst not taking over the whole stage. Though his presence is certainly felt when he enters, as even from his sadly short appearances you can recognise the many sides to the characters he’s been able to develop.
2. Rachel John (Angelica Schuyler) Her role, though not the most pivotal to the show, her performance certainly won’t go a miss from anyone able to see the show. Against the ensemble and other cast member her voice always shone through, and her commitment and passion for the role was enveloping for the audience.
3. The ensemble – I doubt that without these fine individuals the show would be as sharp and cohesive as it was. Andy Blankenbuehler’s choreography was sensational and worked well within each scene. The vocals however is where they really shine, flowing perfectly with the main cast and turning these actors into a proper harmony.
4. Michael Jibson’s portrayal of King George is an absolute scene stealer and is my favourite member of this cast. When he enters a scene or you even feel his energy close by your ears will prick up and a smile will befall the whole audience. Though again only a minor role in the scope of this 2 hour 45 minute production, he performance is the one you’ll be laughing about long after.

A well deserved standing ovation closed out this West End titan

Now those are only my personal highlights of the show, with the remaining cast doing a outstanding job bringing humour, emotional and heart to this production. It’s these moments of brilliance that make this production to me, feel more like an revision of Hamilton than a mere knock off or carbon copy. Hamilton has never been considered a typical musical, and whilst the rapid fire rap lyrics may bemuse some audience members at times, it encapsulates some of the greatest talents of a new generation of creatives Lin-Manuel Miranda has brought to the spotlight thanks to his work. But, I was happier when I saw the cast, ensemble and everyone behind the scenes elevate his musical, and make this a future great. Now proudly seated in London.

In New York you can be a new man, but will London make Hamilton king? Time will tell in this case.

If you want to see Hamilton, live at the Victoria Palace Theatre you can still buy some tickets for April shows and onwards here Ticketmaster.co.uk. Only because all of both January and February’s performances are sold out. So good luck but it’s well worth it!