Pencilling a show date into your diary (and then underlining it and covering it in stars with your favourite pen) is probably one of theatre's greatest feelings. The greatest experience of course is watching a live show that supersedes any expectation after so many days, weeks and months of waiting; your phone's countdown app ready to explode with excitement. As theatre fans, we sense both the adrenaline and the turmoil of waiting to take our seats, the very first note on the orchestral score setting our hearts into race mode as we absorb every moment unfolding before us, each image holding a lasting impression on both our hearts and minds. Our spines tingle, and we laugh and cry, over and over until the show is done, our minds transported by a talented cast for the cost of a single ticket. Certain shows, as a result, stay with us forever... On Saturday, after 11 months and 21 days I was taking my seat in the Royal Circle for a matinee performance of Hamilton: An American Musical. My friends and I were past patiently waitin’ and no, were were not throwing away our shot. (**As a newcomer to the London theatre scene and a show that may be completely new to some audiences, the remainder of this article is spoiler free!) The power of a show's lasting impression can be dynamite, lighting up your enthusiasm as you tell anyone that will listen about your latest theatre trip. For Hamilton, as you may have already guessed, I remain a powder keg about to explode. To avoid a Lafayette-style rap of my favourite moments and for everyone's safety, sanity and to stay spoiler-free my overall performance review is bullet pointed below. (To anyone wishing to see the rap, I'm ready for a coffee and full dissection of the show anytime.) 1. The newly refurbished Victoria Palace theatre is beautiful in every sense, the best feature being its super inclusive layout. There is no such thing as looking down from the heavens here, if anything the Royal Circle puts you almost parallel with the actors. You are even closer to the action and making that all important character eye-contact with Hamilton and Co. If you are planning to see the show soon, check your seating plan and get excited, you will always be in range for the action. 2. Expect familiarity, but enjoy the subtle changes. Keep an open eye and mind when absorbing those carbon-copied moves, staging and costume choices from the original cast and embrace the foreboding set of expectations the London cast face in executing Lin's musical. Treat the performance as a celebration of energy and talent, the cast's stamina and unique characterisations in certain moments paving the way for a Hamilton for the UK. Regard the overall performance as one of the most extraordinary musical feats this side of the Atlantic, regardless of who's in whose shoes. 3. This truly is the hardest working cast in the West End. If the Hamilton from history deserved to ‘take a break’ these guys are his equal. 4. Whether you’ve seen it, heard it or never heard of Hamilton this show is a breath of fresh air to your existing repertoire. Though us Brits love a stuffy musical full of strife, suffering and stifling period costumes (Les Mis and Phantom to name a few) the flexibility of the score, direction and overall pace of the show will shock even the biggest Sondheim or Webber fan into action. 5. Hamilton only promises a better future full of new challenges for writers and audiences alike. Like the Book of Mormons killer combination of religion, parody and comedy to inform and entertain, Hamilton is not holding back in representing a combined cast of characters, whose intertwined stories transport and transform audiences. For first-timers to Hamilton's world the layering of a musical narrative with well-fleshed out characters seems an impossible bar for new shows to reach... but who in the world of theatre doesn't love a challenge? To sum up, everything you have already read about Hamilton is true. Reviewers are speechless for a reason... Even if you never see this show, read up about it. Theatre truly is a mirror to the current climate and as a musical born from current America about its history, with a strict policy on P.O.C. casting, Hamilton is making waves in more ways than one. Listening to the songs alone online paints a brilliant narrative image and short videos/trailers for the show alongside its Tony Awards performance provide a great insight to why the worlds turned upside down over this show. Check out the links below! Hamilton's 70th Anniversary Tony Awards Performance Entire Hamilton Soundtrack on YouTube Hamilton: The Revolution hardcover book
1 Comment
Jim Holden
1/12/2018 06:10:21 am
Best review I have read in years. Almost as much fun as the show itself.
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