Hamilton is a masterpiece. Its creator – Lin-Manuel Miranda – a genius. This review could simply stop at ‘10/10, no notes’.
But there is so much more to say about this revolutionary, record-breaking musical, which has secured shelves full of awards and dazzled tens of millions of audience members across the globe.
It follows the life of Alexander Hamilton and his fellow Founding Fathers, through the American Revolutionary War to the creation of America’s economic system (there’s a reason his face is on the $10 bill).
Lin-Manuel Miranda has taken politics, a pen, and a piano, and struck gold.
ADVERTISEMENT
This is a stage experience with very few frills – the set barely changes, and most of the cast members wear the same beige costumes throughout – and yet the talent on stage, and the fast-paced sung-spoken script will whisk you through three decades in a little under three hours and in what feels like the blink of an eye.
Despite earning its place as arguably the biggest musical in the world, I walk into Hamilton a complete novice. I’ve completely avoided spoilers (although can we really call them ‘spoilers’ when the production is centred on events that happened literal centuries ago). I’ve dodged the Disney+ streams, swerved the Spotify soundtrack, swiped past any Hamilton TikToks, and gone into the Palace Theatre blind. I wanted to experience the whole thing for the first time in the way that Miranda intended – in the room where it happens.
ADVERTISEMENT
Maya Britto, Aisha Jawando and Gabriela Benedetti as The Schuyler sisters in Hamilton. Credit: Danny KaanDaniel Boys as King George in Hamilton, which is in Manchester until 2024. Credit: Danny Kaan
People warned me that I should have done my homework, and while a loose understanding of America’s founding fathers is useful, and you’ll need to have your wits about you to keep up with the ferociously fast pace of the spoken word dialogue, it’s impossible not to be swept away by Hamilton even if the plot does slip away from you.
These are songs – ‘My Shot’, ‘Helpless’, ‘Say No To This’ – so brilliant you actually want to listen to them away from the theatre, songs which weave back throughout the story of Hamilton so that by the second act they feel like familiar friends.
Of the touring cast in Manchester, Shaq Taylor is astonishing in the lead role of Hamilton, while Billy Nevers nails his split role between Lafayette and Thomas Jefferson through charisma and comic timing.
ADVERTISEMENT
Maya Britto as Eliza Hamilton is another star, who whips from sweet, hopeful bride to fierce independent woman, the transformation brought to life in a staggering rendition of ‘Burn’.
The full touring company of Hamilton in Manchester. Credit: Danny KaanShaq Taylor as Hamilton. Credit: Danny Kaan
I can’t help but wonder if we’d all be a little more engaged with modern-day politics if there was an element of hip-hop to it – if parliamentary debates took place as rap battles. Although, we’ve all seen Theresa May’s sense of rhythm, so maybe not…
Hamilton has arrived in Manchester in a cloud of the largest hype I can remember in decades, and let it be known – it’s here to Blow Us All Away.
Hamilton is at the Palace Theatre in Manchester until Saturday 24 February 2024 – you can book tickets here.
A queer comedy night is coming to Manchester next month
Thomas Melia
A comedy night packed with raunch and hilarious storytelling is heading to Manchester and its fronted by one of comedy’s leading queer comedians.
Titled ‘Queer as F*ck’ (we love a good pun), this night is devoted especially to queer comedy and sees Welsh comedian Morgan Rees taking the wheel with a wonderful roster of acts set to play too.
Taking inspiration from the cult-favourite queer comedy, this leading comedian is no stranger to seeing his work in the limelight as he has written for some of the funniest flagship shows like Mock The Week and The Great American Joke-Off.
Rees also doubles as the co-writer for smash internet hit The Uncle Roger Show, starring fellow comic Nigel Ng, and will definitely be bringing some of his razor-sharp one-liners on the night.
Ben Hodge, the MC for the queer comedy night in Manchester.Morgan Rees, the comedian headlining ‘Queer as F*ck’.Jenny Hart, one of the acts lined up for the queer comedy night in Manchester.Credit: Press Images (supplied)
The event, which has the full title of ‘brew. haha: Queer as F*ck comedy night’ will be MC’d by trans-male stand-up Ben Hodge and lesbian comedian Louise Young.
The latter may be a familiar name as she is currently supporting Alan Carr and Tom Allen on their latest tour while also stopping off in Manchester for this very special occasion.
Along with Rees and co., finishing the line-up are two impressive performers ready to raise the roof at this comedy night in Manchester: gay author Martin Dixon and trans comedian Jenny Hart.
Obviously, Rees doesn’t want to give everything away, but he has revealed an insight into what guests can expect to be chuckling away at in their seats.
Morgan Rees is excited to talk about “bad one night stands, growing up queer in a Welsh working class town, coming out late, and starting my first relationship in my 30s – it’s all in there.”
Taking place at Contact Theatre, this much-loved arts space is tucked away just behind the University of Manchester and another impressive city centre venue, Manchester Academy.
And if all this comedy talk wasn’t enough to get you down there, brew will be serving up Detroit-style pizzas with a range of draft beers and ciders – what a night you’re in for.
‘brew. haha: Queer as F*ck’ is coming to the Contact in Manchester on Wednesday, 9 April and ttickets are already on sale.
Featured Images — Rachel Sherlock/Press Shots (supplied)
Theatre
Cruel Intentions at the Palace Theatre Manchester – a nostalgia-fuelled revamp of a cult classic
Clementine Hall
There’s no shortage of movie to musical adaptations, but this one is a cut above the rest.
Cruel Intentions: The ’90s Musical is a show that truly lives up to its name, a jukebox musical ready to take you on a whistle stop of catchy 90s pop hits.
And yes I’m taking about all the big ones, throughout the production the audience are treated to absolute bangers from Britney Spears and The Verve to Christina Aguilera and NSYNC (seriously, there’s some proper tunes in this).
Based on the 1999 movie, Cruel Intentions tells the tale of step-siblings Kathryn and Sebastian as they engage in a cruel bet on whether Sebastian can take the virginity of the headmaster’s innocent daughter.
Image: Supplied
The script doesn’t vary much from the film, but whilst the plot stays strong the constant flow of songs is stronger.
From effortlessly belting Wannabe by the Spice Girls to slowly transitioning into Natalie Imbruglia’s Torn, the show takes a tongue-in-cheek approach to the somewhat absurd action of breaking out into song mid-conversation.
And that’s how this production is best enjoyed, it’s a show of pure entertainment that’ll have you giggling in your seat with a glass of vino (or two) in hand.
Image: Supplied
But that’s not to undermine the absolutely stellar performances from the small but mighty cast.
The first thing that stands out are the impeccable vocals, both Will Callan and Nic Myers who played Sebastian and Kathryn had voices that rivalled any of the pop sensation’s who’s hits they were covering.
Myers specifically had a belt which required the full attention from the audience, she also perfectly captured the cruel and bitchy persona of the role which gives the word ‘cruel’ to the show’s title.
Image: Supplied
The real standout performance of the evening, though, was Lucy Carter who played the geeky, funny, cheeky but completely hilarious role of Cecile Caldwell.
Her incredible comic timing paired with her jaw-dropping voice completely stole the show, and her interpretation of I’ll Make Love To You had audience members cackling throughout. A real star in the making.
Overall if you’re looking for a night of fun at the theatre, then you absolutely cannot go wrong with getting a ticket for Cruel Intentions. It’s on at the Palace Theatre until Saturday 29 March, and you can grab your tickets here.
Daisy Jackson -
22nd November 2023 
