REVIEW: HAMILTON @ THEATRE ROYAL PLYMOUTH

🎭 Hamilton

📍  The Lyric, Theatre Royal Plymouth, Royal Parade, Plymouth, Devon, PL1 2TR

🗓 Thursday 14th August 2025

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

DEFIANTLY GRIPPING

The highly anticipated tour of HAMILTON has arrived in Plymouth where it is thrilling audiences during a six-week run, and I was excited to be in the room where it happens last night.

The show follows the story of the lesser-known American Founding Father Alexander Hamilton, an immigrant from the West Indies who was George Washington's right hand man during the Revolutionary War before becoming the nation's first Treasury Secretary.

History has its eyes on HAMILTON which has won 11 Tony Awards and 7 Olivier Awards, as well as a Grammy Award for Best Musical Theatre Album. But does it live up to the hype? The answer is yes... for the most part! There were a couple of things which stopped me giving the show the full 5 stars, but ultimately the show was a resounding hit.

I was blown away by the phenomenal cast here, who really make the show it has to be said. The standout performer for me was the incomparable Billy Nevers who had a joyfully soulful voice. The sort of voice where you can close your eyes and listen to him and it's like receiving a warm vocal hug. He was commanding and defiant in his role as Aaron Burr, competently pushing the narrative at all times.

Marley Fenton impressed as Alexander Hamilton. Ingeniously portraying his influence and determination alongside humanity and flair. I enjoyed the way he seemed to have fun with the character, injecting humour and lovable cheekiness into the role.

Chasity Crisp displayed sensational vocals and had real heart as Angelica Schuyler, while Naomi Katiyo was charming as Peggy Schuyler and sinfully sexy as Maria Reynolds. Michael James Stewart presented wonderfully flawless vocals throughout the evening and Harry Robinson's charisma shone through from start to finish.

Louis Maskell gave a triumphantly crowd-pleasing performance as King George, wonderfully portraying his descent into madness with hilarious perfection. Although not on stage for a huge amount of time, he definitely leaves his mark on the production as he really made the part his own.

Sydney Spencer was divine as Eliza Hamilton. She was utterly believable and poured heartfelt emotion into the finale of the show, closing it with purity and elegance.

For me it really was this sensational cast that made the show, and I cannot praise them enough. The book here is good but does lose its way at times. Because the story is told so quickly it can be hard to feel an emotional connection to the characters. I also thought that although executed brilliantly by the company, it feels like the choreography and staging needs a bit of a refresh.

The cast had exemplary diction meaning that it was easy to follow along. The orchestrations were good but there were times when I felt they could have hit with a bit more power: A somewhat selfish want perhaps. That being said the sound levels between the music and the vocals was spot on.

These are just my opinion of course and these small things aside, HAMILTON really is a fantastic show. The set design is striking and wonderfully functional, and I enjoyed the lighting design immensely.

I would definitely book a return visit to see this show, and would highly recommend it. It does feel like it's one of those shows everyone should see once. HAMILTON continues performances at Theatre Royal Plymouth until Saturday 6th September. Click here to check availability and to book tickets.

Don't throw away your shot. Book tickets to this revolutionary show today. You're guaranteed to be satisfied!

Neill Kovacic-Clarke

All views are my own and I pride myself on being honest, fair and free from influence. Theatre is subjective and it is important to remember that all views expressed are just those of one reviewer.  

CAST AT THIS PERFORMANCE:

Marley Fenton as Alexander Hamilton; Billy Nevers as Aaron Burr; Sydney Spencer as Eliza Hamilton; Chasity Crisp as Angelica Schuyler; Akmed Junior Khemalai as George Washington; Ashley J. Daniels as Marquis de Lafayette / Thomas Jefferson; Michael James Stewart as Hercules Mulligan / James Madison; Shak Mancel James as John Laurens / Philip Hamilton; Sylvie Stenson as Peggy Schuyler / Maria Reynolds; Louis Maskell as King George; Castell Parker as Philip Schuyler / James Reynolds / Doctor; Ethan Vijn as Samuel Seabury; Harry Robinson as Charles Lee

Ensemble: Patrick Munday; Chris Otim; Castell Parker; Izzy Read; Harry Robinson; Imogen Rose Hart; Phoebe Samuel-Gray; Ethan Vijn; Lashane Williams; Ynex Williams; Sian Yeo

RUNNING TIME (approx):

2 hour 45 minutes, including interval

CONTENT WARNINGS:

Strong language; Adult scenes; Gun imagery; Gunshots; Death; War; Loud music; Fog and haze; Strobe lighting

AGE GUIDANCE:

10+