Hamilton Review, Sunderland Empire
Photo: Danny Kaan
Review of Hamilton by Lin-Manuel Miranda for Northern Arts Review *****
This touring production of the world-famous Hamilton musical by Lin-Manuel Miranda definitely deserves the title the hottest ticket in town, and not due to current soaring temperatures outside.
Running at just-under three hours, time flew by as if it was merely minutes, as every word, beat and move was executed with (fittingly) army precision and had the audience rapt.
The unlikely subject matter of this musical is the American War of Independence and the story of one of its Founding Fathers, Alexander Hamilton. Equally striking is that the show’s script is delivered almost entirely in rap.
The skill of Miranda’s creation is such that after the first five minutes, you suddenly realise you’ve just been enthralled by a potted version of US history which would otherwise have taken hundreds of pages to read. You’re sucked into the Hamilton world mainly as the whole diverse ensemble powers through lines and dance moves with fantastic acting ability, and precision. The pace continues flat out from then on.
As the lead, Morley Fenton is a mesmerising Hamilton, the dreamer and ambitious orphan immigrant. He takes the audience on his journey, with great charisma. You’re rooting for him to succeed even when his human frailties are to the fore.
Billy Nevers was a brilliant Aaron Burr, the lawyer, Hamilton’s lifelong nemesis. His singing was one of the highlights of the show for me. I could have listened to his powerful and emotion-packed voice for even longer than the songs allowed.
The other main male characters were an equal match with particularly great performances by Akmed Junior Khemalai as George Washington and Ashley J Daniels, playing Lafayette and Thomas Jefferson with superb timing and skill.
Listening to rap for a long time needs concentration and the hilarious moments with King George, played by Louis Maskell, where at a slightly different pace and welcome. He squeezed every ounce of humour from the script and the audience loved him. There was even a subtle funny reference to the current American President, with a dig at being a King, which landed well.
The main female protagonists, sisters Eliza and Angelica Schuyler (Casey Al-Shaqsy and Chasity Crisp respectively) also had great stage presence and perfect voices. The former marries Hamilton and I don’t think I was the only one who had tears in their eyes by the end of her own story.
Hamilton’s relationship with both women worked well as it gave the story a beating heart which drew you in and made you feel emotions of the characters.
Full credit to the orchestra as well which added to the power that the play delivered.
David Korins’ set design was clever and sparce, with two revolving stage sections which made transformations of scenes seamless. It meant you were never distracted by set changes.
I’d seen Hamilton in London’s West End in 2018 and really enjoyed it but this cast’s performance was even better. I understood every line and heard every syllable despite often being delivered, purposely, at such a rattling rate.
The Sunderland Empire layout also helped to create so much atmosphere with all the verbal and physical gags creating lots of laughs and reaction. It was a packed house and the excitement in the audience was right there from the start to the finish, when there was a standing ovation. It is in my top five shows that I’ve ever seen.
As I’ve mentioned before in reviews, I come from Sunderland and have always loved theatre. To have this absolutely spell-binding production at my local theatre would have seemed unbelievable to a young me but here we are.
Well done to everyone involved in bringing this calibre of show out of London and making it more accessible and affordable for everyone.
I thoroughly recommend this Hamilton. Grab a ticket before they get snapped up.