Review of Hamilton at Norwich Theatre Royal – ‘Phenomenal musical’ is full of ‘plenty of giggles’
Hamilton – Theatre Royal, Norwich
Blimey - what a show! It is almost draining as it is so very fast-paced and basically in your face for almost three hours. And you will love it!
Hamilton is at the Theatre Royal for a massive six weeks - the longest run any of us can ever remember - and it is also the first UK tour of the hit musical about American history.
It follows the rise and rise of the highly ambitious Alexander Hamilton, beautifully played by Marley Fenton, who was one of the leading lights in the creation of the America that we know today.
He was very much the right-hand man of the country’s first president, George Washington, and the show guides us through his remarkable life, including the American War of Independence, marriage, adultery, financial wizardry - and one too many duels.
It is a thoroughly modern musical with much use of rap, hip hop, and R&B - plus some good old-fashioned musical theatre numbers - and all the cast give us powerhouse vocals.
There is everything you would expect of a big-scale production involving Cameron Mackintosh - a live orchestra, a big ensemble all singing and dancing their heart out, great costumes, huge attention to detail, and plenty of giggles, too. Louis Maskell as an over-the-top King George, fretting about the stability of his role, is pure gold.
Don’t miss the chance to see this phenomenal musical, really the musical of the moment, and be in ‘The Room Where It Happens’ - one of the best numbers in the show.
The show continues until October 25. Visit www.norwichtheatre.org.
Review by Sarah Hardy