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.
World premiere of A Knight’s Tale The Musical to open in Manchester next year
Emily Sergeant
A brand-new stage adaptation of a beloved early 00s film is set to have its world premiere right here in Manchester.
That’s right – A Knight’s Tale has been turned into a comedy musical.
A Knight’s Tale may be one of Chaucer’s most well-known Canterbury Tales, but for most of us, we tend to be more familiar with Brian Helgeland’s iconic 2001 medieval action comedy film of the same name instead, which of course starred the late great Heath Ledger, alongside Paul Bettany, Rufus Sewell, Mark Addy, and more.
And its the latter that has now been reimagined for modern day and turned into a brand-new comedy stage musical that will charge into Manchester early next year.
From the production team behind recent stage smash-hits including Disney’s Newsies, and 2:22 A Ghost Story, the brand-new A Knight’s Tale The Musical has been adapted for the stage by Irish comedy writer and actor Brona C Titley, directed by the award-winning Rachel Kavanaugh, and choreographed by Olivier Award-winning Matt Cole.
MANCHESTER: get ready for a Knight you won’t forget 💘
The brand-new comedy musical A KNIGHT’S TALE (based on the iconic 2001 film) is charging into @PalaceAndOpera for its WORLD PREMIERE from April 2025.
— A Knight’s Tale Musical (@ukknightstale) July 23, 2024
It’s gearing up to be a “rip-roaring tale of chivalry, jousting, heroes, and villains”.
Not only that, but just like the popular film, audiences in Manchester are being told to expect a “truly rockin’ soundtrack” that’s packed with chart-topping hits.
Unfamiliar with the premise of the cult-classic film? Ledger plays William Thatcher – a 14th century peasant squire who breaks all the rules when he passes himself off as a nobleman and takes the jousting world by storm. The only thing that stands between Will and his dream of becoming the World Champion of the most extreme of sports, however, is the bad boy of the sport Count Adhemar.
The two rivals then go lance to lance at the world finals, and it’s a pretty epic finale to say the least.
The world premiere of A Knight’s Tale The Musical is to open in Manchester next year / Credit: Columbia Pictures | Wikimedia Commons
Just like the film, A Knight’s Tale The Musical apparently “has it all”, so you’re invited to join Will Thatcher and his band of merry misfits for “a Knight like no other” when the show takes to the legendary Manchester Opera House stage next April.
“Over 20 years ago, I had the time of my life surrounded by a supreme cast and crew making a film we all fell in love with while we were joyfully making it,” commented Brian Helgeland ahead of the musical’s Manchester debut.
“Sitting at a recent read through of the stage version, I could feel that same joy and love emerging, and I am grateful for the new life they are creating and very eager to see it in all its fully staged glory.”
A Knight’s Tale The Musical will take to the Manchester Opera House stage on 11 April 2025, and run right through until 10 May 2025, and tickets go on general sale next Thursday 1 August at 10am – with members’ pre-sales running prior.