Hamilton star, Marley Fenton, spoke to the Liverpool ECHO in an interview ahead of the show’s run at the Liverpool Empire next monthThis article contains affiliate links, which means we will receive commission on any sale of products or services we write. Learn more
Marley Fenton as Alexander Hamilton in Hamilton
Marley Fenton can’t wait to bring Hamilton to Liverpool. The 23-year-old is starring as Alexander Hamilton in the UK tour of the smash hit musical, which arrives at the Liverpool Empire on May 6.
The award-winning show tells the story of one of the United States of America’s Founding Fathers and has become a cultural phenomenon since it debuted in 2015. It will be performed at the Lime Street theatre until June 7 and Marley feels privileged to bring the worldwide sensation to Merseyside.
He told the ECHO in an exclusive interview: “The show has always been in New York and London so it’s nice that people can get to their local theatre and see one of the biggest shows in the world.”
He added: “To be able to bring it to Liverpool where people have come a similar background as me is so exciting.” Marley hails from a working class background and grew up in the North West in Salford.
He has overcome social barriers to forge a career in the theatre and said this is why the story of Hamilton resonates with him so much. He said: “He came from the Caribbean, from nothing, and he ended up being one of the most influential people in American history.
“I think that’s what connected me to the show and the role in general from the beginning. It’s not an overnight thing when I got the audition and I had no clue what Hamilton was. It felt like I’ve been auditioning for this role for years. That’s one of the reasons why I connected with it in the first place.
“With the casting as well, and being a black man in musical theatre, especially when I was younger, I didn’t especially see myself in lead roles. So to be able to look at myself and see people on stage who looked like me, that made it feel possible. I would definitely say where I’ve come from and how I’ve grown up has connected me to the show and the role.”
Marley first saw the show when he was 16 years old with his mum in London, but never imagined he would be able to play the lead. However, he made inroads on his musical theatre dreams after he graduated as he has won the Black British Theatre Award and also appeared in a touring production of Grease.
These successes gave him the confidence to apply for the rigorous audition process when plans got underway for the UK tour of Hamilton. After months of auditions, Marley was in between shows in Oxford when he received the call from his agent to find out he would be playing Hamilton.
He said: “As soon as I got the call, I was absolutely speechless. I don’t think I spoke for at least a minute. I just wanted to call my mum, call my closest people and tell them my dream had come true of doing this role.
“I was just stood outside the theatre and I think I paced up and down the street for about half an hour. I couldn’t believe it, honestly. I’ve always loved the show so not only am I happy to be a little cog in the phenomenon that is Hamilton but to be able to play the role and take on this role is such an incredible moment for me.”
Marley’s mum Christine had always backed him on his journey and she was similarly blown away after he landed the role. He told the ECHO: “My mum just couldn’t speak. She was crying. She was over the moon and she’d known the journey I’d had with the show. I’d loved it for so long. She knew it was something I wanted to do and she always knew I’d get there.”
Marley now can’t wait to perform the show for the remainder of 2025 as he said Hamilton has received wall to wall standing ovations so far. He has previously performed in Liverpool with Grease and is expecting a similarly loud response from a crowd of Scousers.
He said: “Grease is different to Hamilton, but I would definitely say [Liverpool is a] louder and more rowdier crowd. But not in a negative way, in the best way possible and always being supportive. It’s nice because we give off so much energy on that stage. When we get to somewhere like Liverpool and the audience gives us that energy right back, it helps us get through so much. It really enhances how we perform and that’s exactly what we need as actors on stage.
“If we’re getting a few claps here and there and people aren’t really engaged, the energy we give off will probably be less. I would definitely say the crowds in Liverpool help us and definitely bring out the best in us.”
Liverpool is a city founded on immigration, comprising people who have consistently punched above their weight on the world stage – and Marley thinks this is why Hamilton’s inspiring story would particularly appeal to Scouse audiences.
He said: “That’s why it nice to go to these places with so much culture like Liverpool. It’s so nice to bring this show to places like that with different communities and different cultures that people can connect to it in loads of different ways.”
Marley now can’t wait for the Liverpool run of the tour as he is determined to savour every moment from his run as Alexander Hamilton in the Lin-Manuel Miranda musical. However, he did laugh there was one day he was potentially dreading from his time in Merseyside as the Manchester City fan is not so keen on the idea of being in Merseyside on the day of a potential Premier League title parade, if Liverpool FC don’t throw away their lead at the top of the league.
He said: “I’m actually a Man City fan so I’m not excited for Liverpool to be lifting the trophy.” He added: “But we should definitely have some downtime. We’re there for five weeks so hopefully while we’re there I’m able to see some stuff. I love Liverpool so much and I’m so excited to bring the show there.”
Hamilton is on at the Liverpool Empire from May 6 – June 7. You can find full information on how to get tickets for the musical here.