Review: Hamilton at Norwich Theatre Royal

by Anisa // 0 Comments
cast of Hamilton at the end of a song

It’s finally here! After being announced nearly two years ago, Hamilton has arrived at Norwich Theatre Royal and it’s making history of its own. Normally, big touring shows stop in Norwich for around a week, but the fact that Hamilton is here for a huge six-week run tells you everything you need to know about its popularity and cultural impact.

Norfolk audiences will get the chance to experience the global phenomenon that has taken Broadway and the West End by storm right here in the heart of Norwich until 25 October 2025. Still thinking about snapping up one of the last remaining tickets? Our review might help you decide.

Note: We were invited to the press night so that we could share our experience with our readers. Photos were taken by Danny Kaan and provided by Norwich Theatre. This post also contains affiliate links.  As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Please see disclosure for more information.

Alexander Hamilton from the UK tour of Hamilton
The show tells the story of one of the Founding Fathers of the USA, Alexander Hamilton.

About Hamilton

Lin-Manuel Miranda’s multi award-winning masterpiece tells the story of Alexander Hamilton, one of America’s Founding Fathers. An immigrant from the West Indies, Hamilton rose to become George Washington’s right-hand man during the Revolutionary War and played a key role in shaping the United States we know today.

What makes the show so special is its groundbreaking score which is a blend of hip-hop, jazz, blues, rap, R&B, and classic Broadway. It’s the story of America then, told by America now.

Based on Ron Chernow’s acclaimed biography, Hamilton features book, music, and lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda, direction by Thomas Kail, choreography by Andy Blankenbuehler, and musical supervision and orchestrations by Alex Lacamoire. The show has become a cultural phenomenon, winning 11 Tony Awards (including Best Musical), 7 Olivier Awards, the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, and a Grammy for Best Musical Theatre Album.

photo of the whole company from the UK tour of Hamilton
Hamilton is unlike any other show you have seen before.

Our Review of Hamilton at Norwich Theatre

We might be some of the few people who hadn’t seen Hamilton until now, but with all the awards and hype surrounding it, our expectations were sky high. We’re pleased to say the UK tour production not only met them, it completely blew us away.

Surprisingly, growing up in the US, I didn’t learn much about Alexander Hamilton in school. Russell, who has grown up in East Anglia, had never heard of Hamilton before the show came out. We were both excited to discover more about him.

Aaron Burr from the UK Tour of Hamilton
Aaron Burr was Hamilton’s rival and it was interesting to learn more about him too.

It’s incredible that someone who started life as an orphan and had his time cut short could still shape a nation so profoundly. What’s just as moving is how the show also shines a light on Eliza’s story, giving her the recognition she deserves.

This is without doubt the highest production level we’ve ever experienced at Norwich Theatre Royal. The revolving stage was such a clever addition, making the choreography feel fresh and dynamic. Plus we loved how they used it to help to show the passage of time. The lighting added a bit extra too, using colour in powerful ways to set the mood and highlight key moments.

The cast were absolutely incredible. Marley Fenton brought intensity and charisma to Alexander Hamilton, Billy Nevers as Aaron Burr delivered one of the show’s most famous songs, The Room Where it Happens, with such power that the audience erupted into extended applause, and Casey Al-Shaqsy as Eliza Hamilton was moving and heartfelt. Louis Maskell gave us plenty of laughs as King George, a role that added just the right amount of humour in between the heavier moments.

King George from the UK tour of Hamilton
The King was always good for a few laughs.

The ensemble didn’t simply support the action, they elevated it. Every movement was razor sharp and purposeful, with choreography that made the storytelling even more compelling.

The music is unlike any other musical we’ve seen, weaving together rap, hip-hop, R&B, and Broadway styles with ease. It moves quickly and at times we felt like we may have missed a few words, but the energy and emotion carried us along and the meaning was always clear. It’s the kind of show you could watch more than once and still discover something new each time.

What really struck us was how much humanity there is in the story. It isn’t just about politics or history. It’s about ambition, regret, forgiveness, love, and legacy. Those intimate moments in the show were the most memorable for us.

Alexander and Eliza holding hands and singing to each other
Alexander and Eliza went through a lot in their marriage.

We both learned a lot about Alexander Hamilton himself, but it was equally moving to see Eliza’s story told alongside his. For a man who started life as an orphan and whose life ended far too soon, it is remarkable to see how much he achieved and how much his family carried forward.

At nearly three hours, it’s a long show, but the time passed quickly. The audience was engaged throughout, breaking into applause after almost every song and ending with a loud, well-deserved standing ovation.

For us, Hamilton was more than just a night at the theatre. It was an innovative, emotional, and unforgettable experience. If you’re wondering whether to see it while it’s in Norwich, our advice is simple: go. It’s not just a show, it’s a piece of theatre history that you’ll be glad you experienced.

Alexander Hamilton with the rest of the company behind him during the UK tour of Hamilton
We would love to go and see Hamilton again.

We loved it so much that we’d happily see it again. It’s a real gift to have a show of this calibre here in Norwich for six weeks. This is theatre at its very best, and we can’t recommend it enough. Get your tickets here before the run sells out!

Hamilton in Norwich FAQs

When can you see Hamilton in Norwich?

Hamilton will be in Norwich until 25 October 2025.

How much are tickets for Hamilton in Norwich?

Prices range from £25 to £95The Schuyler Sisters in the Hamilton UK tour

How long is a performance of Hamilton in Norwich?

The show is about 2 hours and 45 minutes long including an interval.

Is Hamilton good for kids?

It is recommended for ages 10 and up as it does deal with several adult issues.George Washington in the Hamilton UK Tour

How do you get to Norwich Theatre Royal?

Norwich Theatre Royal is easy to get to as it is located on Theatre Street (next to the Assembly House) in the Norwich city centre. It’s about a 7 minute walk from the Norwich Bus Station or a 20 minute walk from the Norwich Train Station.

Where should you park for Norwich Theatre Royal?

You could use any car park in Norwich city centre, but The Forum and Chantry car parks are the closest ones to Norwich Theatre Royal. Alternatively, you could use the Park u0026 Ride for matinee performances as it’s a short walk from the Norwich Bus Station.Alexander Hamilton with his friends

Is food and drink available at Norwich Theatre Royal?

You can have a pre-show meal in the Prelude Restaurant. Before the show and during the interval, snacks and drinks can be purchased at Cafe Royal or the Circle or Stalls Bar.

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