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Original poster

How good is Hamilton (the musical)?

124 replies

WhereMyRosemaryGoes · 22/04/2023 20:03

We live in a place that doesn't often get high-end entertainment. A decent production of Hamilton will be playing near us later this year and I need to make a decision.

I do love musicals, but I don't know much about Hamilton.

The reason I'm hesitating is because tickets are quite expensive. We can afford them (at the expense of something else), but I only want to afford them if it's amazing.

So...
A) Holy shit it's amazing you HAVE to see it
B) It's fun.

OP posts:
Silkrose · 22/04/2023 20:35

A- I absolutely adored it and listen to the soundtrack regularly, which has made me fall more in love with it since going to see it performed.

Whilst there we sat next to an American couple who had seen it on broadway and then, on their holiday to London, we’re seeing it in the west end. I feel like that says it all. It’s a real treat!

MMMarmite · 22/04/2023 20:39

A.
I love it. Already saw it once, seeing it again later in the year. Know the soundtrack basically off by heart.
(Obviously tastes vary though, lol)

LudicrouslyCapaciousBag · 22/04/2023 20:43

LOVED it when we saw it in the West End. However the UK tour is coming near us later this year and although the DC are desperate to see it I would rather take them to London. A few friends found the US tour production disappointing compared to Broadway / the West End.

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Theatre
Brendabigbaps · 22/04/2023 20:43

Something you need to see. I’m debating where to go on the Uk tour, maybe by myself! If I got the chance to see it in the USA I’d do it. I’ve seen it 3 times so far and countless times on Disney+

A story for you, myself and a couple of mates who all love it decided to take another friend to see it, we booked tickets, we showed her the Disney+ version, she watery meh! she loved seeing it in the theatre.
the cast and crew all love it and as such out their hearts and souls into it.

don’t miss your chance

Freshair87 · 22/04/2023 20:44

Probably the best musical I've seen

Tarantullah · 22/04/2023 20:46

My friend had no background knowledge if it. Didn't understand the history and absolutely hated it!

I do think this makes a difference! I really enjoyed it, its wonderfully done, the songs are brilliant and the performers were superb. I wouldn't say it is my favourite musical ever though and I think the hype has made it seem disappointing for some, but I'd recommend it for sure.

bananafishbones1 · 22/04/2023 20:50

I went knowing nothing and absolutely loved it. Not seen that many hot men on one stage before. Came home and listened to the soundtrack and then watched it when it came on Disney plus. I've just booked to see it again as husband hasn't seen it.

It is the National tour so will be high quality and tickets probably cheaper than the London theatre prices. We are seeing Six next week on tour fraction of the London price in the local theatre.

(Also loved come from away - such a feel good musical everyone was on their feet at the end!)

GinGella · 22/04/2023 20:50

A

It's amazing. Agree with watching the Disney plus version and listening to the soundtrack through. Live it's something else though.

The tour is coming near us and we will go again (at least once)

SquareRootOfAllEvil · 22/04/2023 20:51

I didn’t enjoy it that much. Liked some of the songs but found it all a bit repetitive and I didn’t really like the staging (set / lighting).

I’d try it again on tour if it was local and cheap, but wouldn’t go too much out of my way.

HundredMilesAnHour · 22/04/2023 20:51

Whinge · 22/04/2023 20:23

I disagree with this. I deliberately went in 'cold'. I wanted to be wowed rather than already be familiar with everything

If you go in cold you're going to enjoy some parts but spend a lot of time wondering what the heck is going on. It's such a fast paced show it's impossible to understand how clever the wording / songs are, and how important the staging and movements are.

Nope. At no point did I wonder what was going on. I find it bizarre that you'd even think that. Of course it's possible to understand.

I've spent a lot of time in the US as I work there on regular basis (and have obviously travelled a lot and am quite familiar with their history) and have done for many years and have very close friends there. In fact I went to the theatre straight from drinks with US colleagues (although I was actually there on holiday this time rather than working). Not sure how that would make a difference but...

Like some other posters, I think it's over-hyped. It's very well executed but, for me personally, there are other musicals that I've been to which have resonated with me more. I see quite a lot as a friend is a very successful theatre producer so I often get free tickets etc.

FlounderingFruitcake · 22/04/2023 20:54

Anecdotally I’ve noticed that people who don’t usually like musicals often love it, and those that love musicals find it a bit meh. Personally I’d want to see it and make up my own mind because it’s definitely not like any other musical. I don’t think you need to listen to the soundtrack or watch it on Disney+ and I’d want some surprise so would say don’t do this- I saw it first at the previews in London before it fully opened so none of that was an option and it was fantastic, I’ve also since seen on Broadway and in Chicago. But absolutely you need a Wikipedia session- read about Hamilton, Jefferson, Washington, Burr and the revolutionary war and it’ll all make sense. I hope you decide to go and that you love it!

Parentofatween · 22/04/2023 20:57

I saw it in Chicago when I was visiting my sister, had no clue what it was about didn't really understand some of the American history but it didn't matter I loved every minute of it the songs are brilliant the whole show is just amazing!

Whinge · 22/04/2023 20:59

Nope. At no point did I wonder what was going on. I find it bizarre that you'd even think that. Of course it's possible to understand.

I didn't mean it as a criticism, I genuinely feel that it would be impossible to take it all in as it's so fast paced, and I don't think being a bit confused at times is unusal for people who go in cold. It's so easy to miss the small details like the bullet, or a part of the story that is explained away in a few words in the middle of a fast moving song.

Iamblossom · 22/04/2023 21:01

ClaraThePigeon · 22/04/2023 20:05

It depends. Most people seem to love it but I hated it and really disliked the music even though I usually love musicals.

Same . But I went for my son's birthday treat and he adored it.

Original poster
WhereMyRosemaryGoes · 22/04/2023 21:02

I don't think any amateur or professional licenses have been granted.

OP posts:
WaltzingWaters · 22/04/2023 21:02

ShowOfHands · 22/04/2023 20:04

It is superb. Lin Manuel Miranda is a lyrical genius and it is musically, wonderful.

This! Definitely worth seeing!

Ablababla · 22/04/2023 21:04

A the lyrics are amazing. Hamilton averages 144 words per minute with 20,520 total words - it would take up to six hours to perform at the pace of other Broadway shows. So lot of value for your money!

Bimbom · 22/04/2023 21:06

It's amazing. Agree with PP about getting familiar with the soundtrack before you go because much of it is very fast paced.

OhWhatFuckeryIsThisNow · 22/04/2023 21:06

Socialdistancechampion · 22/04/2023 20:11

I was underwhelmed by it, but it had been seriously overhyped by the time I got to see it. I enjoyed the story (because I enjoy that period of history) but found it very Lin Manuel Miranda.

If you've seen Encanto you've seen all his shows.

I’m currently watching(well it’s on in the background) In The Heights. I am very over LMM style now. Saying that when I saw Hamilton first I thought it was great. DH hated it.

MMMarmite · 22/04/2023 21:09

OhWhatFuckeryIsThisNow · 22/04/2023 21:06

I’m currently watching(well it’s on in the background) In The Heights. I am very over LMM style now. Saying that when I saw Hamilton first I thought it was great. DH hated it.

Show quote history

Where can you watch In the heights? Is it on one of the streaming services?

reluctantbrit · 22/04/2023 21:11

I watched it on Disney+.

I know quite a lot about this period in history and had trouble following it. I needed sub-titles to understand the lyrics. DH actually got Wikepedia out to understandthe plot.

We decided not to get tickets for the real thing as (living in London) we decided that there are better musicals to spend that amount of money on.

StrictlyAFemaleFemale · 22/04/2023 21:12

I've seen the Disney plus one. I don't think you need to know so much about history - it tells you everything you need to know as a good show should. I did enjoy it, and appreciate it as a new form of musical but I discovered I only like hip hop in small doses. Im glad I saw it on Disney and not in the theatre.

faffadoodledo · 22/04/2023 21:12

Loved it. Husband hated it!

padsi1975 · 22/04/2023 21:14

A. Read up on it first. Although I went in cold and STILL loved it. I will go again.

LessonsInPhysics · 22/04/2023 21:15

HundredMilesAnHour · 22/04/2023 20:18

I disagree with this. I deliberately went in 'cold'. I wanted to be wowed rather than already be familiar with everything (that doesn't appeal to me in the slightest although clearly that's different for others).

I saw it on Broadway, from row D so very close to the stage. The delivery was excellent although the actor playing Hamilton was extremely short and I found that distracting (shallow but true - he was really short!!). I enjoyed it but I found the second half a little long and definitely padded out with some less impressive parts/songs. Overall it was very good but I wouldn't spend the money to see it again. Nor would I watch it on Disney or listen to the soundtrack.

I have reservations as to how well it might translate to a less professional production. That could be rather grim.

Show quote history

But you didn't enjoy it?