Lin-Manuel Miranda’s multi award-winning cultural phenomenon Hamilton has opened in Liverpool for an extended run
Hamilton fever has taken over Liverpool’s Empire Theatre as the hit show arrives in the city for an extended run as part of the iconic venue’s 100th birthday programme
Hamilton fever has taken over Liverpool’s Empire Theatre as the hit show arrives in the city for an extended run as part of the iconic venue’s 100th birthday programme. The show opened on Tuesday, May 6 and tonight the red carpet was rolled out for a special gala night at the theatre.
Hamilton is the story of founding father Alexander Hamilton, an immigrant who became George Washington’s right-hand man during the Revolutionary War and helped shape the foundations of a nation. The score blends hip-hop, jazz, blues, rap, R&B and Broadway – the story of America then, as told by America now.
Playing Alexander Hamilton in the production at the Empire Theatre is 2024 Black British Theatre Award-winner Marley Fenton, alongside Billy Nevers as Aaron Burr.
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.”
Excited fans get their photograph taken in front of the Hamilton posters at the Empire Theatre(Image: Liverpool Echo)
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 Manchester.
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.
Lin-Manuel Miranda’s multi award-winning cultural phenomenon Hamilton has opened in Liverpool for an extended run
“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.
Hamilton is the winner of 11 Tony Awards including Best Musical, seven Olivier Awards, the 2016 Pulitzer Prize for Drama and the 2016 Grammy Award for Best Musical Theatre Album.
The gala evening was attended by BBC Traitors star Minah Shannon, members of the cast of This City Is Ours and Celebrity big Brother star Danny Beard.