Hamilton

[mnahmnah]

Hi

Hamilton is now on Disney+, so I would love to watch it after everything I’ve heard about how good it is. I have a general idea of what it’s about, but I’m wondering if it’s difficult to follow if you haven’t got a decent grasp of American history? I don’t want to spend the whole time googling like I do with lots of American political TV shows!

I adore Hamilton.

I've seen it twice at the theatre and watched it on Disney + on Friday. Can't wait to watch it again.

Although you don't get the spectacle of the theatre on TV, it is the original Broadway cast who are absolutely phenomenal.

It's brilliant. You'll love it and don't worry about the history. This is much more a story of human nature: ambition, jealousy, mistakes.

@IKEA888

Not for me... one of those things that folks like to say they like to make themselves appear ??? more middle class that they are .. I don't know.

Why would it make you middle class saying you like it? The people I know who love it, genuinely love it and they're from all classes and ages. My 8yr old and 13yr old adore it. Pretty sure they're not even remotely into pretending they're middle class for shits and giggles.

It's clever and nuanced and brilliantly imagined. It's okay that it didn't grab you. You don't have to disparage people who like it.

Another good way to learn about the background story is to look up the song lyrics on Genius. They have lots and lots of annotations (practically every line), including some by LMM himself. Really helpful to understand what is being represented onstage, and why certain characters say certain things/why the music is the way it is at various points.

I love it but it does drag in the second half.

Songs are great though!

Looking for a mind at work work.....

@MouseholeCat

King George was bloody hilarious! Same actor is Kristoff in Frozen.

@IKEA888

I think it really is for anyone who is interested in culture, history and learning about new things. Not a class thing.

My DD and I saw it twice at West end, mind you we already knew practically all of the words by heart before we went. It was great on Disney seeing the OBC, but even better live on stage.

I had no idea that he was also Kristoff!!! That's crazy!

Not for me... one of those things that folks like to say they like to make themselves appear ??? more middle class that they are .. I don't know.

No you don’t know, do you? What a ridiculous statement.

I had no idea that he was also Kristoff!!! That's crazy!

And George Washington is Moana's dad.

When he's singing anyway, I think someone else
does the speaking parts.

We watched it - I really enjoyed it and have been humming buts (mostly “satisfied” which I thought was jaw droppingly good). Rest of the family not as gripped. The costumes, staging and choreography are fantastic too, though I do think it could use editing /tightening up.

I enjoyed it but thought it was a bit over-long.

I did have subtitles and wikipedia to help me though!

Splashed out £6.99 on iTunes to get the soundtrack on my phone. My plan was to use it as a running soundtrack, but actually I've been playing it all day in the office today! Definitely growing on me.

I love it. It's funny, brilliant and devastating all rolled into one. Anyone using the "one of those things people say to make themselves sound more middle class" is clearly a bit of a dong and needs to comprehend that different people really just do love different things.

The accompanying book is available on Amazon and alongside the lyrics it's annotated in such a lovely way - DH bought it for me a while back and I read it whilst watching over the weekend. Reading LMM's notes, particularly about the song he wrote for his DW, was beautiful.

I watched it didnt quite get it, even with the subtitles, but DS wanted to watch it so I went for it again and have been listening to the sound track on Alexa ever since.

Agree that it benefits from a second listen. Some of the rap is so fast and so clever that when listening for the first time you miss things, both plot and the fantastic wordplay. We loved the West End show but knew the soundtrack inside out before we went. Haven't seen the Disney+ recording yet, but planning to do so this weekend, and very excited to see Daveed Diggs and Leslie Odom Jnr in particular.

Saw it, have seen the westend version twice... Actually preferred the westend cast... Still loved it though.. Thought LMM's Hamilton was more emotional than the westend version (possibly because of the camera angles).

I highly recommened the partner book Hamilton: The revolution. It is beautifully bound and goes through the show scene by scene talking about both the choices on which parts of history to keep in but also the inspiration for the songs both from R&B and Rap but also musicals and literature.
Hamilton meets Burr before he meets his rep friends = Harry meets Malfoy before Ron and Hermione
Washington is the model of a modern major General = Song Pirates of Penzance
10 duel commandments : the notorious B. I. G song

On first watch I found the ending tame.

Having listened to it at least 3 times now and read a bit more about it, the final song has me in tears.

I’m treating myself to a rewatch on Friday night, and thought it might be fun to pretend it’s a proper night at the theatre.

So what do I need? Ice cream? Popcorn? Someone noisily rustling sweeties beside me?

@1questionshootout

I’m treating myself to a rewatch on Friday night, and thought it might be fun to pretend it’s a proper night at the theatre.

So what do I need? Ice cream? Popcorn? Someone noisily rustling sweeties beside me?

You need to get a family member to come and climb over you during a really quiet, emotional moment (halfway through Dear Theodosia or It’s Quiet Uptown) loudly whispering ‘sorry, sorry’ and then climb back five minutes later with their crotch in your face.

@1questionshootout My knees were practically lodged under my chin when I saw it in London. Unlike most theatres however there was no queue in the toilet as they had all been renovated and there was a decent number of womans.

I preferred the London cast to the Broadway recording - but I've not seen it live there so that could be the difference. Sits firmly on fence.

I also downloaded the Hamilton biography that LMM based the musical on - and I'm finally getting around to reading it. It obviously has way more nuanced stuff than anyone could cram into a popular musical. But you can also see where he's picked up the author's words and woven them in. Fascinating.

Hmmm, enjoyed my “ pretend theatre night” complete with a Founding Fathers Fizz cocktail, and wearing my “ Hilary for president” t shirt. DH insisted only watching Downton first, so it was after 8 before we started. He didn’t seem to be getting into it........BUT....at his suggestion we rewatched this afternoon, and he’s now going on about how brilliant it is, and what a genius LMM is. He’s a bit of a history nut, so I thought that angle would appeal.

I think I know what’s just got added to my bucket list.