Expert Review: Why Hamilton Is A Once-In-A-Generation Experience

4.9
★★★★★

Expert Rating

The Verdict

Hamilton isn't just a musical – it's a cultural phenomenon that has permanently changed what musical theatre can be and say. Lin-Manuel Miranda has created something unprecedented: a historical biography that feels urgent and contemporary, told through rap, R&B, and hip-hop that makes 18th-century America speak directly to 21st-century audiences.

What Makes It Revolutionary

  • "Wait for It": Aaron Burr's introspective masterpiece showcases the sophisticated storytelling that elevates Hamilton above all other musicals.
  • Diverse Casting: Black and Latino actors playing white founding fathers creates powerful commentary on whose stories get told and how.
  • Dense, Brilliant Lyrics: Miranda packs more words and ideas into three hours than most musicals manage in entire runs.
  • Historical Relevance: Themes of immigration, ambition, and political idealism that resonate powerfully with modern audiences.

Perfect For

History enthusiasts, hip-hop fans, musical theatre lovers, students and educators, and anyone interested in how America was built. The complex themes and rapid-fire lyrics make it especially rewarding for ages 10+, though the sophisticated content appeals most to teenagers and adults.

Everything You Need to Know

The Story of America's Most Controversial Founding Father

Hamilton tells the story of Alexander Hamilton, from his impoverished beginnings in the Caribbean through his rise to become George Washington's right-hand man and America's first Secretary of the Treasury. The musical explores his relationships with Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Aaron Burr, and his wife Eliza, culminating in the famous duel that ended his life.

What to Expect

  • A complete reimagining of how historical stories can be told on stage
  • Rapid-fire dialogue and lyrics that require your full attention
  • Complex characters with modern motivations and conflicts
  • Political themes that feel incredibly relevant to today's world
  • An ensemble cast playing multiple historical figures across decades

The Historical Innovation

By casting Black and Latino actors as white founding fathers, Hamilton makes the revolutionary statement that America's story belongs to everyone. The musical doesn't shy away from the contradictions of men who wrote about freedom while owning slaves, creating a nuanced portrait of America's complex origins.

Lin-Manuel Miranda's Groundbreaking Score

  • "Alexander Hamilton" - The opening number that introduces our hero and sets the musical's breakneck pace
  • "Wait for It" - Aaron Burr's complex character study and the musical's emotional centerpiece
  • "The Room Where It Happens" - A political satire about backroom deals that feels ripped from today's headlines
  • "Satisfied" - Angelica's perspective on meeting Hamilton, showcasing Miranda's sophisticated storytelling techniques
  • "The World Was Wide Enough" - The duel sequence that brings Hamilton's story to its tragic conclusion

Musical Innovation

Hamilton's score blends hip-hop, R&B, pop, and traditional musical theatre styles to create something entirely new. Miranda's lyrics are dense with internal rhymes, wordplay, and historical references, requiring multiple listens to catch every clever detail.

Musical Fact: The show contains over 20,000 words of lyrics – more than most operas and requiring intense memorization from the cast who deliver them at lightning speed.

Practical Information

Show Times

  • Monday - Thursday: 7:30pm
  • Wednesday & Saturday: 2:30pm & 7:30pm
  • Sunday: 2:30pm
  • Final Performance: December 27, 2025

Getting to Victoria Palace Theatre

  • Train/Tube: Victoria Station (1 minute walk)
  • Bus: Multiple routes stop at Victoria including 11, 211, 507
  • Parking: Q-Park Victoria nearby (advance booking recommended)

Accessibility

  • Wheelchair accessible seating with advance booking
  • Hearing loops available throughout the theatre
  • Audio described performances available
  • Large print programmes and cast sheets

Important Notes

  • Contains strong language and mature themes
  • Fast-paced lyrics - subtitles not provided
  • Late arrivals may not be admitted until a suitable break
  • Final London run - book early to avoid disappointment