Stepping into the Victoria Palace Theatre to see Hamilton, I was finally in “The Room Where It Happens”. I could feel the hype that’s surrounded this musical since 2015 when it first premiered on Broadway still buzzing in the air. I mean, how many musicals do you know where tickets are still sold out ten years later, right? I’d heard all kinds of things about how it was “revolutionary” and changed theatre, but I had no idea how much it would mean to me, as a British South Asian woman in her 20s.
First off, let me just say, this musical absolutely lived up to the hype. From the first notes of “Alexander Hamilton,” the energy of the cast pulls you right into 18th-century America that also feels completely 21st century due to the casting and soundtrack. Lin-Manuel Miranda created something incredibly smart by turning the history of the American Revolution into a story about ambition, immigration, love, and resilience. And watching this through a cast that’s intentionally diverse made it feel like this history, which at first seems so removed from my life, is actually relatable.
One thing I especially loved was the casting. Seeing Black and Asian performers taking on these powerful roles felt, honestly, surreal. Growing up, I went to a performing arts school and I didn’t see many characters who looked like me on stage, much less ones taking the lead in the most popular show of the year. In particular, seeing Hassun Sharif, a South Asian member of the ensemble, meant so much to me. It’s not often I see someone from my community represented in spaces like this, and it made me feel so proud. Theatre has traditionally been so white-dominated, and I’ve always struggled to connect to stories where I didn’t feel represented. But with Hamilton, I saw people of color owning the stage in ways that felt deeply inspiring.
This resonated with me even further because my brother continued studying musical theatre and is now at Guildford School of Acting (GSA) pursuing it as a career. So, watching Hamilton, I couldn’t help but imagine him on that stage one day. The thought of seeing him in a production as incredible as this, in a space that has historically excluded people like us, was so emotional. It made me hopeful for a future where people from all backgrounds are given the opportunity to shine on stage.
The musical styles were another huge highlight. You don’t often see hip-hop, rap and R&B in musical theatre and certainly not alongside classic ballads. It made the whole experience so much more relatable, even fun, because this is the type of music I usually listen to. Songs like “My Shot” and “Yorktown”got the crowd so hyped it was more like being at a concert rather than a musical. And then there’s “Satisfied” and “Burn,”which delve into the many emotions which accompany love and sacrifice so perfectly. It really hit me how layered these characters actually are.
It was also refreshing to see a story about immigration and identity that didn’t shy away from the true complexity of it. Hamilton is an immigrant and his struggle for a place in society really connected with me as the daughter of immigrants. He fights to make a name for himself, constantly proving his worth. The story just feels so authentic and reminded me how complicated belonging can feel, and that fight for identity is beyond relatable.
With that being said, I still think Hamilton has its limitations. From a feminist point of view, it’s a musical celebrating the Founding Fathers, who, let’s be honest, were deeply flawed men. While the show does acknowledge this to an extent, it’s still very much a glamorised version of history. Additionally, as a Brit, watching a musical about American independence has its ironies. There were moments when I felt a bit distanced from the whole "American Dream" theme.
But ultimately, Hamilton is more than a history lesson. It's an exploration of ambition, immigration, love, and resilience. Watching it, I felt seen in a way I never thought I would in a historical musical. Leaving the theatre, I felt a mix of awe, pride, and determination. Lin-Manuel Miranda has genuinely changed what a musical can be, as a young British South Asian woman who’s never quite seen herself on stage in this way before, I felt like he created a safe space for all of us. So, in the sea of unforgettable West End productions, Hamilton will stand unmatched, it is a true masterpiece that not only captivated me but will remain forever in my heart.