Review: Hamilton, UK Tour at the Palace Theatre, Manchester

The last time I saw this show in the flesh, I was a bit in disbelief. Half of my brain refused to acknowledge I had seen it live: this time, it sank it a little more. 

After opening in the West End in 2017 and taking London by storm, Hamilton has just begun its first UK tour. 

Manchester's Palace Theatre is the first Room Where It Happens on this tour

Since seeing it live, we've had the recording made with the original Broadway cast grace our Disney + accounts during the pandemic, but it is nothing to seeing the story of one of America's founding fathers live on stage. 

The talent you get from these new players, the power from the score, the emotion that whacks you in the face; there's not a show like that. 

This new cast is lead by Shaq Taylor (Beauty & the Beast) as Hamilton himself; and his first half was amazing! He's got the youthful hunger and the desperation to prove himself down to a T. He epitomised the line "Why do you write like you're running out of time?". And in his first few meetings with Burr emphasised how much of each others opposites they were. 

It could have been played up a bit more in Act 2 leading up to Burr's 180 movement, but Sam Oladeinde was still suave and subdued. Yes he made us Wait For It (ba dump tsch) but it was worth it. Hopefully as they get settled into the tour, it will get polished up.

Every time I listen to Hamilton, I am drawn to Angelica, so was really excited to see Aisha Jawando's take. Her last job was playing Tina Turner in the West End, and you can hear that in her voice. Her Angelica was the witty Ravenclaw she is destined to be sorted as (don't believe me..?), as well as vulnerable. And her righteous anger in... well you know which scene - the POWER! I loved her take on Angelica.

But the two stand out performances were from the comedic characters

King George is always a highlight, despite being one of the smallest parts in the show. Daniel Boys' (Falsettos) take was no exception. He was so funny, so bratty, like a petulant child. And vocally he fits the King perfectly. 

The highlight though has to be Billy Nevers (& Juliet). I will say it now, he is the PERFECT Lafayette/Jefferson. The smoothness, the rapping skills, the charisma, the rivalling the King in campness - he radiated pure joy on that stage and was born to play that part. 

Of course I recommend you get tickets - it's Hamilton for crying out loud! 

Hamilton is playing in Manchester until February before continuing its tour across the UK - and it is the well oiled, Non Stop machine you expect and dream it to be. I am SO happy I got to see this spectacular show again!