History gets an R&B Twist at The Wales Millennium Centre
I was fortunate enough to attend a very busy press night in a sold-out Wales Millennium Centre on Friday night to witness Lin-Manuel Miranda’s modern classic, ‘Hamilton’.
For those unfamiliar with the premise, ‘Hamilton’ is a revolutionary musical that blends hip-hop, jazz, R&B, and traditional Broadway styles to tell the story of American Founding Father Alexander Hamilton. It’s a historical tale with a contemporary twist, and it’s been captivating audiences worldwide since its debut.
Now, I have to admit, I’ve met Lin-Manuel Miranda on several occasions during his stay in Cardiff. Although I’d heard of his successful show and made an effort to familiarise myself with it, I had never actually seen it. When we first met, I was more interested in discussing his then-upcoming roles in ‘His Dark Materials’ and ‘Mary Poppins Returns’. So, at the very least, if we meet again, I can rest easy knowing I’ve finally experienced ‘Hamilton’.
Let’s talk about the staging first. The stage and setting were epic in scale and truly showcased the cavernous stage of the theatre, utilising multiple levels. The lighting played a significant role and carefully punctuated each frame of the performance. The overall aesthetic was one of epic, new industry.
Although the scenery remained fixed throughout, the use of lighting against the textured surfaces and the creation of shadow conveyed mood, ambience, and a sense of place, especially as the narrative jumps through time. A special commendation must go to the stage management team, who have taken an original creation with a sensational recent backstory and used their creativity and skill to refine and develop the production further.
As for the performance, the entire cast kept an impressive pace and enthusiasm throughout what must be an exhausting, all-consuming performance involving a large cast, multiple levels, and several costume changes. My standout performance of the evening goes to Gabriela Benedetti, who played both ‘Peggy Schuyler’ and ‘Maria Reynolds’. Her commanding presence on stage was immediately felt, and her voice was truly outstanding—a moment of particular note for me.
Daniel Boys, portraying ‘King George’, engaged the audience with a traditional fop manner and a tongue-in-cheek approach, keeping the humour alive in what is predominantly a serious, political performance.
“The Energy and Drive of the Cast combined with Incredible Staging made this Performance so Special”
I must also applaud the incredible ensemble cast, who worked tirelessly to extend the world beyond the principal cast. Their tight choreography was a definite highlight of the performance. It was particularly pleasing to see Levi Tyrell Johnson on stage as part of the ensemble, following our recent interview with him for this magazine. Johnson proudly showcases Cardiff and Wales, proving that Welsh theatre training, especially at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, is a beacon for nurturing and developing world-class talent.
On a slightly less positive note, I was taken out of the performance on several occasions by fellow patrons who decided to sing along during the show at a volume well above a whisper. Clearly, ‘Hamilton’ has a devoted following, and for those who have seen it countless times, it must be exciting to know what’s coming next, line for line. However, as a first-time viewer, it became a bit tiring. So, if you’re prone to singing along, perhaps preface the show with a one-liner to your seated neighbours to let them know you’ve seen it. It’s much easier than inferring it through your vocal enthusiasm. In short: don’t sing along unless it’s a sing-along; you’re not in a school assembly!
Having met Lin-Manuel Miranda several times during his stay in Cardiff but never having seen ‘Hamilton’, I always felt there was a slight gap in our conversations. However, sitting amongst a full house of awe-inspired, die-hard fans—some of whom knew every line and weren’t shy to show it—it’s clear to see the fan base is in love with what’s sure to become a timeless theatre classic. It was fantastic to see such an incredibly popular show make Wales its home for the next two months.
If you have the opportunity to see ‘Hamilton’ at the Wales Millennium Centre, I’d definitely pop along. The production showcases some of the best Performers and Stagecraft in the Industry right now. And, like Me, you’ll finally learn what all the fuss is really about!
Tickets and Availability - https://www.wmc.org.uk/en/whats-on/2024/hamilton