A smash hit on Broadway (where he also took the title role) the impressively multi-talented Lin-Manuel Miranda’s account of the man who was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States packs in the facts in an inspired celebration of words and wit, rap, hip-hop and R&B. Right from the start, Thomas Kail’s slick production (with sassy choreography by Andy Blankenbuehler for the corset-clad dancers in their flesh-coloured jodhpurs) has an infectious energy as Giles Terera’s resentful Aaron Burr, onetime ally and later nemesis, refers to Alexander Hamilton as a “bastard, orphan, son of a whore and a Scotsman” – not that his immigrant origins stopped him from becoming the first US Secretary of the Treasury and the right-hand man of George Washington (Obioma Ugoala) as well as being embroiled in a sex scandal .
Hardworking, self-educated Hamilton (1755-1804) certainly packed a lot into less than half a century and Jamael Westman, barely out of drama school, plays him with confidence. Jason Pennycooke brings colourful vitality to the roles of both his collaborator (the French Marquis de Lafayette) and his opponent Thomas Jefferson, Rachel John is touching as the sister in-law who would, perhaps, have liked to be more and Michael Jibson (deliberately the only white member of the main cast) is a jaunty, scene-stealingly comic King George III in regal red robes.
With its catchily insistent music and nimble verbal intricacies, it all makes for a highly enjoyable and original evening – you may have to wait a while to get a ticket, but this is one visiting American politician who, no question, is going to be in residence at the newly refurbished Victoria Palace for a very long time indeed.
Victoria Palace, Victoria Street, SW1E 5EA
Tube: – Victoria
£37.50- £89.50 + premium seats
Currently booking to 28th July 2018
