The acclaimed musical-theatre sensation, Hamilton, has made its debut in Dublin at the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre. Originating off-Broadway in 2015, the widely celebrated musical took the global audience by storm in 2020 when it was streamed on Disney+. Coinciding with the US election years, it has embarked on its first UK and Ireland tour this year. The genius behind the musical, Lin-Manuel Miranda, continues to create an engaging narrative echoing the foundation of the United States, resonating with the current times.
The storyline unfolds through an unexpected protagonist’s dramatic rise and fall. It fervently champions principles of freedom, equality, and democracy. Miranda skilfully utilizes the narrative to underscore the origins of American liberties. Celebrating the impending victory over British forces at the Battle of Yorktown, Alexander Hamilton, the “illegitimate, orphan, son of a detrimented woman”, and his French ally, Marquis de Lafayette, applaud their unique contribution to the struggle for independence with an iconic high five and the most celebrated line of the musical; “Immigrants, we get the job done.”
This musical, performed with sung and rap verses, embodies the tenacious spirit of its primary character. The storyline traverses from the initial song, Alexander Hamilton to the introspective finale, Who Lives, Who Dies, Who Tells Your Story, utilising rap and R&B beats. Musical debates are expressed as rap competitions and personal disputes are interjected with urban insults. The team led by assistant director Stephen Whitson, based on Thomas Kail’s inaugural work, ensures the troupe matches the brisk narrative rhythm. The performance scarcely allows room for ovations from an overjoyed audience for popular anthems such as My Shot, The Story of Tonight or The Room Where It Happens.
The drama in Miranda’s narrative is well-balanced between personal storylines and political implications. A key rivalry in the plot is between Hamilton, played by Shaq Taylor, and Aaron Burr, played by Sam Oladeinde. Taylor skilfully transitions his character from mild to commanding, while Oladeinde’s Burr maintains an enigmatic facade while revealing his inner workings to the audience. The struggle and triumph of the underdog is a central theme in this historical reimagining, with Burr’s position as an underdog being of equal importance to Hamilton’s.
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Despite the weighty wordiness of Miranda’s text, the production is a dynamic spectacle. David Korins’s stage design transitions fluidly from one setting to the next, using brick and wood scaffold which includes a revolving element. The choreography by Andy Blankenbuehler and Carrie-Anne Ingrouille provides a Broadway magnitude to the play, despite the flurry of dancers occasionally masking the simplicity of Miranda’s storytelling.
As the performance concludes, Miranda poses the question: “Who lives, who dies, who tells your story?” leaving spectators with a lingering sentiment of “Rise up!” This powerful soundbite remains steadfast, regardless of whether it is seen as a tribute to the actors’ performance or as recognition of Hamilton’s fervent political rallying call.