Review: Hamilton - Norwich Theatre Royal (19.09.2025)

Review by April Nash

I’ll confess, having been a fan of this show since its release, I’ve seen Hamilton five times over the years, so my expectation for this production was high - and oh boy, did it deliver.

We’re at the start of the longest run of any show the Norwich Theatre Royal has hosted, and it’s brought in a fantastic number of people (around 25%, I’ve been told) who’ve never been to the theatre before, which is just amazing. And I’m so glad, as it's a masterclass in modern musical theatre.

Hamilton tells the story of American Founding Father Alexander Hamilton (Marley Fenton) tracing his journey from a humble Caribbean orphan to his rise as George Washington’s right-hand man during the American Revolution. The show follows his political career as the first Secretary of the Treasury and his untimely death in a duel with rival Aaron Burr (Billy Nevers) It also weaves in the dramatic details of his personal life, including his marriage to a wealthy Schuyler sister, the Reynolds Pamphlet scandal, and his personal tragedies. 

The show uses a groundbreaking score by Lin-Manuel Miranda that blends rap, hip-hop, and R&B with traditional musical theatre to tell the story of one of the founding figures of the United States and his lasting impact on American history.

I’m not over-exaggerating when I tell you that this cast is phenomenal. Fenton’s portrayal had all the charisma and charm of the ambitious character/man we’ve come to know, but what I appreciated was that the ego was dialled up. I finally believed he was a ladies' man, and his opinionated nature really worked against his opposition in the second act, solidifying his rivalry with Burr in a way I haven't seen before - and really liked.

Nevers was outstanding; his performance of The Room Where It Happens earned an extended applause, proving I wasn’t alone in that opinion. He played the role with an understated, quiet energy then really let loose with his powerful vocals in his numbers. I caught myself holding my breath during Wait for It - a performance that hit me right in the chest and left me audibly going, "Wow, he’s amazing."

The quality of the production was so high that as a (quite hardcore) fan of the show, it made Hamilton's wife Eliza’s (Casey Al-Shaqsy) pitchiness quite noticeable. She clearly has great vocals, so I wonder if she couldn’t hear herself properly. Her sassier take on the character felt a bit forced, especially during Burn, but she was by no means a weak performer.

More highlights included the cabinet rap battles, a masterclass in control and comedy from King George (Louis Maskell) who took every moment he had on stage to have the audience in stitches and every member of the supporting cast and ensemble, with notable mention for the standout vocal performances from Angelica (Chasity Crisp) and John Laurens/Philip Hamilton (Shak Macel James) 

Beg, borrow, or steal a ticket; it's an outstanding show - every detail, from the costumes to the lighting design and choreography, makes this a show you’ll want to come back to again and again, as there’s just so much to see and admire.

Hamilton continues at Norwich Theatre Royal until 25 October.