Hamilton review: Melbourne cast packs an undeniable impact

For those not across the raps, American history or interconnected web of characters, Hamilton might be a complex ride. But the stellar Australian cast tell a compelling tale.

Hamilton’s Melbourne cast packs an undeniable impact. Picture: Daniel Boud

There are two sides to every story. In Hamilton, Lin-Manuel Miranda’s groundbreaking musical, told mostly in rap form, there are considerably more.

The hit show, based on one of America’s founding fathers, opened at Her Majesty’s Theatre on Thursday, packing the same undeniable impact as when it premiered on Broadway seven years ago.

Hamilton is inventive, revolutionary, and an absolute game changer.

It broke new ground by casting non-white actors as the historical figures, including presidents, political figures, lawmakers, and society sisters.

The Australian production features a powerful and committed ensemble, led by Jason Arrow as Alexander Hamilton, and Lyndon Watts, as Hamilton’s ally and eventual nemesis, Aaron Burr.

Jason Arrow leads the Australian cast. Picture: Daniel Boud

Chloe Zuel and Jason Arrow in Hamilton. Picture: Daniel Boud

While Hamilton’s political feats and manoeuvring are duly noted, Burr’s slow switch from friend to foe, and implosion, is one of the show’s many highlights.

Watts is masterful as the sly and secretive Burr, whether quietly biding his time in Wait For It, or vocalising his ambitions in The Room Where It Happens.

That said, Arrow and Watts are a dynamic duo, and the combination shines throughout their endless feuding, climaxing with a heart stopping duel sequence.

Matu Ngaropo is a commanding George Washington, with impressive rap flair and soul pipes, and Victory Ndukwe brings charisma and humour to his Thomas Jefferson.

Brent Hill’s King George III is a petulant scene stealer, playing every wince, frown, stomp, and barely repressed rage for big laughs, and he lands every one.

Tigist Strode, as Eliza Hamilton, pours love, heartbreak and tragedy into her emotional story arc, particularly in Burn.

Brent Hill’s King George III packed plenty of laughs. Picture: Daniel Boud

Chloe Zuel as Eliza Hamilton. Tigist Strode played Eliza at Her Majesty’s Theatre on opening night. Picture: Daniel Boud

Lyndon Watts scenes with Arrow allows the combination to shine. Picture: Daniel Boud

For first timers, and those not across the raps, American history or interconnected web of characters, Hamilton might be a complex ride.

However, Miranda’s lyrics — intricately detailed and authoritatively delivered by a stellar Australian cast — tell a compelling tale.

But, as Hamilton so cleverly conveys, whose story is being told, and by whom?

The musical opened with a lavish red carpet event, followed by an after-party, attended by VIPS including tennis champion and 2022 Australian of the Year, Dylan Alcott, Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews, Melbourne Lord Mayor Sally Capp, and actor and singer Natalie Bassingthwaighte.

The show’s Broadway producer Jeffrey Seller joined the cast on stage after their bows.

He praised Melburnians for riding the pandemic “storm ... to express our resilience, perseverance and courage, so that we could ... be together in these rooms again.”

“How lucky are we that we get to be affected by, deepened, inspired and thrilled by the ... performance of this amazing company behind me,” Mr Seller added.

“They have so beautifully brought to life the words and music of Lin Manuel Miranda … who has re-imagined what a musical can be.”

He said Miranda and theatre director Tommy Kail performed their show, Freestyle Love Supreme, at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, in 2006.

“They’re on the street of Melbourne, Lin and Tommy, ruminating about their other musical, In The Heights, and they were trying to figure out, as they were walking around your streets, how to craft the plot of the second act,” Mr Seller said.

“That reminds me, that every single step in the journey of a creator, of an artist, leads to the next step. So Freestyle Love Supreme leads to In The Heights, In The Heights leads to Hamilton, and Hamilton leads us right back here to Melbourne tonight.”