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Post by hannechalk on May 21, 2024 22:00:23 GMT
Just caught this in Bristol, and it was excellent! Shaq Taylor, Sam Oladeinde, Maya Britto and Aisha Jawando were superb. To be honest, all the cast were, but it would take me an hour to mention them all. The orchestra was outstanding. The staging worked very well. Although I would imagine if you have never seen it before that some of the rapping might be hard to follow. Thank you to Patti for organising it all. Nice to see you too, ruby. 😜 |
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Post by ruby on May 22, 2024 6:45:40 GMT
Absolutely superb show, loved it all! I've always been resistant to seeing it as I didn't think I would enjoy it but I'm happy to admit I was very wrong. Even sitting next to hannechalk couldn't spoil my enjoyment 🤪 |
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Post by littlefan on Jun 5, 2024 17:04:17 GMT
Went to the matinee today in Bristol. I have many, many thoughts.
The show is in great shape, but they really need to sort the sound levels out in the Hippodrome. We were in row C, and it was not good - could barely hear some of the voices over the music - particularly Burr and the Schuyler sisters who keep dropping out.
Shaq Taylor is AMAZING. No words for how good he is. I love his Hamilton and cannot wait to see what he does next. Truly a performer with his heart and soul invested in what he does. He was flawless.
Billy Nevers as LaFayette/Jefferson, DeAngelo Jones as John Laurens/Philip Hamilton and Michael James Stewart (on as Hercules Mulligan today) were all on fire. Worked excellently together and I would not have known James was a swing if I hadn't seen the cast board on the way in. Billy Nevers is pure joy. DeAngelo Jones is someone I want to watch again and again in absolutely anything and everything he goes on to do.
Desperately sad to have missed Sam Oladeinde as Burr after hearing many good things. Akmed Junior Khemalai sang Dear Theodosia beautifully, but his characterisation didn't do it for me; his Burr was not commanding, his diction was poor, and his voice is perhaps a little too soft. DeAngelo Jones would have been a good choice in this role, I felt.
They appeared to have a bit of a Schuyler sister problem today. Maya Britto missed her first cue in The Schuyler Sisters so after "Daddy said not to go downtown" we got silence... for four beats then ..."free to go".
Aisha Jawando as Angelica was either phoning it today with a very strange "dead behind the eyes" characterisation or she's been badly miscast here. 'Satisfied' left me very underwhelmed and unsatisfied - her voice just does not suit this song, or indeed the role. "Helpless" into "Satisfied" was probably the weakest part of the show for me. Gabriela Benedetti as Peggy/Maria was the standout female for me - I'd really like to see her as Angelica. Maya Britto has a gorgeous tone to her voice and was far better in the second half.
Daniel Boys is wonderful and joyful to both watch and listen to. So well cast and just absolutely mesmerising on stage. The audience were in the palm of his bejewelled hand. He's clearly having a lot of fun in this role, and it shows.
Charles Simmons is a commanding Washington, I really, really enjoyed his portrayal and his voice is so smooth.
The ensemble are SO strong, particularly loved Yesy Garcia.
I would absolutely see this tour again, but I would want Sam on for Burr and a cover on for Angelica. Oh, and for the sound to be fixed if I was at the Hippodrome...
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528 posts
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Post by ruby on Jun 5, 2024 19:46:01 GMT
We were also sitting in row C when we went. The only issues I noticed with the sound was that it was sometimes difficult to hear Aisha Jawando.
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Post by phantz on Jun 7, 2024 23:49:45 GMT
Akmed Junior Khemalai sang Dear Theodosia beautifully, but his characterisation didn't do it for me; his Burr was not commanding, his diction was poor, and his voice is perhaps a little too soft. Aisha Jawando as Angelica was either phoning it today with a very strange "dead behind the eyes" characterisation or she's been badly miscast here. 'Satisfied' left me very underwhelmed and unsatisfied - her voice just does not suit this song, or indeed the role. "Helpless" into "Satisfied" was probably the weakest part of the show for me. Gabriela Benedetti as Peggy/Maria was the standout female for me - I'd really like to see her as Angelica. All of this. Maya Britto is very shrill - hard to see chemistry between her and Shaq. Seems like a child playing at being an adult. |
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Post by geeky101 on Jul 15, 2024 15:25:56 GMT
I was there on Saturday night in Birmingham. Very sad to have missed Shaq Taylor as Hamilton – alternate Jonathan Hermosa-Lopez was okay, being a good rapper, weaker singer, with decent acting – and Charles Simmons as Washington – Michael James Stewart in his place, for me, lacked the chops and gravitas to really wow and command the part vocally and emotionally. I know he's second cover and am not sure how many shows he's had on, in fairness; I think One Last Time was done a step or two down as well.
I'd seen Maya Britto in London once before and she was fine as Eliza, if unremarkable. Aisha Jawando is a weird one... some moments blew my socks off (she sang the end of Satisfied astoundingly well, with a couple of brilliant riffs and opt-ups), but her often vacant expression and mumbled diction mean she's easy to disengage from. I left thinking that Gabriela Benedetti as Peggy/Maria was the strongest of the three girls and wanting to see more of her.
Standouts, as others have said on here, were very much Sam Oladeinde as Burr (brilliant in every respect), Billy Nevers (that tone/soar to his voice is stunning and he's one of the few Lafayettes I've seen to properly nail a consistent, authentic accent) and Daniel Boys as KGIII (hit the big notes and worked both the indignance/humour of the role perfectly). The ensemble worked hard and the band sounded great. I was sat front circle and just wanted a bit more volume at times, but appreciate that is hard to get right in touring shows. Overall, still a good night out but definitely a step below the London production in feel and quality.
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Post by chadexx on Oct 23, 2024 18:18:40 GMT
I believe there is a major cast change coming soon. Has anybody heard any details??
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Post by theatrefan62 on Oct 23, 2024 18:40:25 GMT
I believe there is a major cast change coming soon. Has anybody heard any details?? Oh damn, I bet Daniel boys leaves before it's come to my local |
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Post by A.Ham on Oct 24, 2024 11:29:58 GMT
I did fear the cast may change before the tour rolls into Southampton next spring. Be interesting to see who stays and who moves on.
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Post by idinafanzel on Oct 24, 2024 15:15:59 GMT
Shaq is leaving as Hamilton, he's being replaced by another Arts Ed Grad
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Post by danb on Oct 30, 2024 2:33:12 GMT
Just got in from ‘Hamilton’ on Broadway, which I think it might be a good idea for the resident director of the UK tour to revisit. The pacing was perfect, the orchestra sublime and the performances all top notch. Fantastic. I haven’t seen a uk performance as good as this since the OG’s were still around.
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3,325 posts
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Post by Dr Tom on Oct 30, 2024 12:43:35 GMT
Shaq is leaving as Hamilton, he's being replaced by another Arts Ed Grad Intriguing. No insider knowledge here, but I've had Marley down as a perfect Alexander Hamilton for a long time. Max would be great too, and I know he can rap. I will wait for the announcement with interest. |
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Post by forfivemoreminutes on Oct 30, 2024 13:43:35 GMT
Shaq is leaving as Hamilton, he's being replaced by another Arts Ed Grad Intriguing. No insider knowledge here, but I've had Marley down as a perfect Alexander Hamilton for a long time. Max would be great too, and I know he can rap. I will wait for the announcement with interest. Ding ding... Current cast finish in Cardiff and new cast start in Bradford end of Jan, I believe. |
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