Review: Hamilton Plays Sunderland Empire for the First Time
We were in the room where it happens (which, until 26th July, is Sunderland Empire's auditorium)
A musical from the masterful mind of Lin-Manuel Miranda, Hamilton is the story of American founding father Alexander Hamilton told through a toe-tapping and clever soundtrack that blends hip-hop, jazz, R&B and Broadway. Hamilton became more popular than ever when the original Broadway production of the award-winning musical began streaming on Disney+ in lockdown. I’ve had the soundtrack on repeat, and even more so since I saw the West End production at the Victoria Palace Theatre last year. Now, as the musical celebrates its 10th anniversary, fans have been flocking to TikTok praising the cast of this (first ever) UK tour. They’ve already performed in Liverpool and Bradford, and the excitement has been building in Sunderland.
Signs guide us across the city to the theatre which has been decorated in banners and posters. Once we’re inside, finally shading ourselves from the heatwave, the theatre is filled with an air of anticipation. You should never compare casts but it is difficult not to when Lin-Manuel and Leslie Odom Jr (and co) set the bar so high. From the opening note, Billy Nevers plays an endearing Aaron Burr with soft tones, mighty high notes and a commanding stage presence. His reputation precedes him and you can barely hear his opening line, because as each character arrives on stage in this number, they each receive applause – a fantastic start to what is a magical evening of theatre.
He plays a Burr that appears less of a villain in the story. The moment Billy really shines is in act one’s Wait For It, when his opening line is sung so quietly but his projection is so powerful, we’re blown away even up in the dress circle. Together with KM Drew Boateng (Hercules Mulligan in act one and James Madison in act two), Shak Mancel James (John Laurens in act one and a energetic Philip Hamilton in act two) and Northern actor Ashley J. Daniels (Marquis de Lafayette in act one and Thomas Jefferson in act two), Billy forms part of a charismatic group, while Marley Fenton brings the emotion and passion the title character demands. We’ll never fail to be impressed by the cast of Hamilton’s range, playing such different characters with just a 15-minute interval. Peggy Schuyler is a minor character in act one, but Naomi Katiyo plays Maria Reynolds with style and seduction in act two.
The Schuyler Sisters never miss a beat and their harmonies are just beautiful, particularly shining in faultless performances of Helpless and Satisfied. Casey Al-Shaqsy plays Eliza with her heart on her sleeve and in act two when she sings Burn (one of my favourites) the emotion in her voice brings a lump to my throat, which doesn’t budge through It’s Quiet Uptown (when the ensemble’s harmonies are stunning). Chasity Crisp originated the role of Angelica Schuyler in Germany in the first ever translated production of Hamilton in 2022, and is seriously talented. Akmed Junior Khemalai plays a strong and compelling George Washington (who had historical ties to Sunderland through his ancestral home).
In fact, each and every cast member is insanely talented and each adds their own quirks to their roles without taking away what we love most about them. As always, King George has the most freedom when it comes to this and each time he takes to the stage he has serious fun with it. Elongating his numbers, at one point he does a cheeky impression of America’s current president, and at another point he makes Billy break character for just a second. He’s truly hilarious.
Of course the costumes, staging and choreography speak for themselves and the lighting is clever and always effective. There are no ‘filler’ moments in this musical and there’s always something to see no matter where you look – Sunderland Empire’s stage has never looked so impressive, with the revolving stage bringing so much to the story.
