The musical Hamilton coming to Cardiff is a big deal, not least choosing to spend two whole months – including the Christmas period – of its inaugural UK tour in the Wales Millennium Centre. Winning a Pulitzer Prize not long after its debut almost 10 years ago, Lin-Manuel Miranda’s creation revolutionised the landscape for modern musical theatre.
It’s the biographical story of Alexander Hamilton, American Revolutionary and one of the founding fathers of the United States, and it’s fair to say that before this production entered the fray, he wasn’t as well-known as other signers of the Declaration Of Independence – Ben Franklin, George Washington and John Hancock with his big signature – in the wider world. The stage show takes us through Hamilton’s life, including his involvement in the American Revolutionary War assisting Washington, and his marriage to Eliza Schuyler and relationship with the Schuyler sisters; as well as him crossing paths with friend and rival Aaron Burr, “the damn fool that shot him”.
No-one can ignore the parallels between the majority-white musical theatre and American history, while the musical makes many references to Hamilton’s immigrant status: immigrants “getting the job done” is something that resonates far beyond the USA.
Shaq Taylor is a thoughtful Hamilton. One of the many good things about the show is that it doesn’t portray him as a shining hero: Taylor plays all his complexities, from talkative youth to arrogant politico. Musical theatre’s Daniel Boys is having a hoot as petulant King George, and with one of the show’s most singable songs, You’ll Be Back, he is an injection of camp farce in a show whose humour is more wry.
Sam Oladeinde is a strong Burr, proved by his ferocious solo Wait For It, while Gabriela Benedetti, Maya Britto and Aisha Jawando make me want to see a followup/parallel musical focused on the Schuyler sisters. Billy Nevers’ Lafayette/Thomas Jefferson stands out in a dream ensemble.
There are so many good musical numbers in Hamilton, and in different styles: My Shot, the honkytonk-themed What’d I Miss, the two rap battle-style Cabinet Battles and the heartbreaking It’s Quiet Uptown. That The Room Where It Happens can be left off this initial list is a testament to Hamilton’s musicality. The set is as if it’s been transplanted from the West End production and the costumes are perfect: this is a touring show like no other.
I saw Hamilton six years ago in London, and without having revisited it in its recorded form since had forgotten how stunning it is. A prime Christmas gift from the Wales Millennium Centre – and from musical theatre.
Hamilton, Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay, Fri 29 Nov
On until Sat 25 Jan. Tickets: £25-£95. Info: here
words CHRIS WILLIAMS
