Hamilton in Edinburgh: Scottish debut described as full circle moment

The Scottish debut of Hamilton, one of the world’s biggest stage shows, in Edinburgh later this month has been described as a “full circle moment” by its cast.

The musical phenomenon, which tells the life story of American founding father Alexander Hamilton through rap and hip hop, has become one of the hottest tickets in theatre since it launched in 2015.

It has won Olivier Awards, Tony Awards and the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, and is currently being performed in multiple locations around the world.

Few venues, however, have the personal connection to Hamilton that Scotland does.

Hamilton’s Scottish history

Not only was Alexander Hamilton’s father an Ayrshire man – James A Hamilton – but the musical’s creator, Lin-Manuel Miranda, performed at the Edinburgh Fringe early in his career.

Shaq Taylor, who plays Alexander Hamilton in the UK tour, said: “Scotland is part of the history of the show, for sure.

“It feels like a full circle moment for the show, with Hamilton’s father coming from Scotland.”

Shaq’s co-star Gabriela Benedetti added: “It’s great that we have these references back to Scotland, so it’s exciting to be coming to Edinburgh to create this full circle moment.”

Audiences also seem to be recognising the significance, with people from around the world booking tickets for the two-month run at the Festival Theatre.

The venue’s CEO, Fiona Gibson, revealed: “We have bookers from 40 countries – Australia, Canada, China, America, Germany, Ireland and the Philippines, to name a few. It’s a great draw for the capital and it’s the hot ticket, for sure.

“We sold 51% of the tickets in the first 24 hours and there are very few left now. It’s been a phenomenal success.

“It’s the first time Capital Theatres has had a ‘first time out’ show from Broadway and the West End, so for us it’s a significant moment in time, especially with Hamilton’s descendants coming from Scotland and Lin-Manuel starting out at the Fringe.

“It’s a bit like coming home for many reasons.”

Hamilton’s success

Few shows have captured the imagination of such a broad section of the public like Hamilton, enticing people who wouldn’t usually go to theatre to come through the doors.

“It’s a story everyone can relate to – that story of coming from somewhere which probably doesn’t resemble your mindset, or of being in a situation you feel you shouldn’t be in, or of feeling there is something better, and overcoming those things and having the fire and will to leave that situation and make better for yourself,” explained Shaq.

“I think everyone relates to that. There are other themes people can also relate to, like a love story or losing someone.

“Then there’s the period setting but using different genres and styles of music – R&B, rap, pop – that are popular today to tell the story. This is something younger generations can latch on to.”

Gabriela, who plays Peggy and Maria, says her introduction to the musical was listening to the soundtrack. “Hearing it, I wanted to be part of the show,” she said. “It has so much detail and references, and every time you listen to it you find something new.

“It’s also the accessibility of the music, because I grew up with hip hop and R&B, so when I hear the music it’s a level of familiarity and nostalgia which entices you.”

The musical

Theatre boss Fiona said: “The score’s blend of hip hop, jazz, R&B and Broadway is like nothing anyone has seen or heard before, which brings an interest from younger audiences.

“It’s one of the shows that has the balance of artistic excellence along with a fun night out and commercial appeal – it ticks a lot of boxes. It’s not just the story of America’s founding fathers – it’s about the human experience.”

Shaq had three intense auditions to land the role of Hamilton. He first saw the show on its debut run in the West End seven years ago and knew he wanted to be part of it.

“Seeing it in the flesh solidified that feeling, because it’s so unique and well-written,” he said. “I’m a big fan of rap and the role requires a lot of that.

“Along with telling the story, I wanted to find the nuances. Rappers come from a certain place, maybe a council estate, and they almost write their way out by using their talents. Seeing that crossover between rappers having that and Alexander Hamilton writing his way out of his situation to get over to America, it’s about tapping into that essence and delivering it the best way I could with my knowledge of rap.

“This will be my first time performing in Edinburgh and I’m excited to become involved in the culture.”

Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Fringe experience

Following in the footsteps of so many aspiring entertainers, Hamilton creator Lin-Manuel Miranda was just 25 when he arrived in Edinburgh for the Fringe.

It was 2005 – 10 years before Hamilton premiered – and he came to the festival with Freestyle Love Supreme, a hip-hop improv group he co-founded while working on his first stage musical, In The Heights.

Lin-Manuel had met most of his troupe at college in Connecticut. They performed a month-long run at the Assembly Rooms and busked on the Royal Mile.

Responding to a picture on Twitter in 2018, Lin-Manuel commented: “Busking at the Edinburgh Fringe in 2005. We all lived in the same house. Two-touch got engaged. It was my last summer as a single person before V and I started dating that fall. We played NFL Street all day and rapped all night.”

Hamilton is on at Festival Theatre, Edinburgh, February 28-April 27