HAMILTON - Liverpool Empire (21/05/25)

Touring production of Miranda's magnum opus doesn't throw away its shot

By now there are likely few superlatives that haven't yet been uttered when describing Lin-Manual Miranda's modern day musical masterpiece, as it combines and blends several modern day music genres and soundscapes, such as hip hop and rap and like no other pieces of theatre have done before; not only this, but Miranda's lyrical content is an enormously clever mashup of contemporary verse and text taken straight from historical . What is perhaps most brilliant though is how he manages to both modernise the story of the birth of America, and fully honour and respect its history, especially through Paul Tazewell's ornate and terrifically historically accurate costume design.

It is perhaps the multifunctionality of David Korins' set though that most effectively draws us in visually, with its impressive range of moving parts, the dual revolve that is used to brilliant effect, and its marvellous combination with Howell Binkley's lighting accentuating Miranda's exquisite storytelling with aplomb. What has been achieved through a mix of musical and lyrical genius, in collaboration with a supremely gifted creative team, is truly a once in a generation feat of theatrical brilliance that ten years later is still amazing and astonishing audiences the world over.

Marley Fenton and Billy Nevers (credit: Danny Kaan)

The roles of Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr are two that have gained about as much of an iconic status as Sweeney Todd, Jean Valjean and the Emcee, along with which comes their own unique respective range of challenges, not least combining the delivery of such vocally dextrous lyrical material with solid, engaging characterisation that not only equally engage an audience, but contrast so starkly with one another; the casting of these roles is of vital importance to any production of this show, and in Marley Fenton and Billy Nevers, one can report with unbridled glee that we have a couple of powerhouses who have put their own distinct spins on their respective roles.

The title role is one that requires nimbleness of tongue, solid vocals, and a consistent energy to be sustained from start to finish, even through Hamilton's latter years, personal struggles and waning political influence. All of these criteria are hit dead on by leading man Marley Fenton, who has exploded onto the scene and established himself as one to watch. Fenton brilliantly puts his own stamp on the character, capturing his early giddy ambition, unwavering intellectual fervency, and the ease with which he is able to match wits with his peers tremendously well.

Marley Fenton and the company of Hamilton (credit: Danny Kaan)

Nevers as Burr, having previously taken on the dual role of Lafayette/Jefferson, shows us an entirely different side of him, substituting the outwardly flamboyant nature of his prior roles with Burr's self-serving, close to the chest stoicism, somehow both outwardly giving little away, and simultaneously providing a powerful, full bodied account of himself. His softer vocals might just be about as smooth as Leslie Odom Jr's, particularly in the act one duet "Dear Theodosia", whilst his take on "The Room Where It Happens" just about took the roof off the Empire Theatre.

With so many terrific new faces performing so magnificently, it is rather difficult to pick favourites. I don't think I've laughed quite so much during King George's various appearances as I have for Louis Maskell, the man is an absolute comic sensation, and played the audience like a fiddle. And Casey Al-Shaqsy has taken to the role of Eliza like a duck to water, in what was one of the strongest vocal and acting performances of the night, she is perfectly playful during early numbers, equally has us heartbroken during "Burn", and she brings the show to a close with such beautiful simplicity. Hamilton remains a must-see for theatre fans across the globe, and the touring companies are apt proof that there is endless quality outside of the west end and broadway.

★★★★★

"Hamilton" runs at the Liverpool Empire until the 7th of June, and also currently runs at the Victoria Palace Theatre in London (book tickets).