Theatre evaluation- Hamilton Flashcards
Date of watching?
Where?
Alexander Hamilton?
Eliza Hamilton?
Set designer?
Sound designer?
Music designer?
Costume designer?
Lighting designer?
Ensemble choreographer?
Director?
20th March 2025
Victoria Palace Theatre
Alex Sawyer
Nathania Ong
David Korins
Nevin Steinberg
Lin Manuel Miranda
Paul Tazewell
Howell Binkley
Andy Blankenbuehler
Thomas Kail
Acting
Alexander Hamilton Played by?
Alex Sawyer
-‘My Shot’ speaks in an aside before making first speech, shows his feelings about his future, empathy, furrowed brows in concern, stands with arms by his side, moment of stillness, quiet contemplation
-Stands on block centrestage, takes control as a leader, ensemble in a circle around him, hand gestures of pointing, passionate, eye contact with ensemble around him, powerful speaker, building rapport w them, smiling with eyebrows raised, hope
1 Staging
Proscenium arch–> used large set pieces such as staircases on wheels. Quite far back, required microphones for projection, still moments are more effective
3 Set
Designer?
David Korins
-Higher tier of staging on the balcony, use of levels, the general shouts commands to Hamilton who is below during a battle, hierarchy shown
-Members of ensemble bring individual blocks and chairs, minimalist set, in slow motion then stand on them after battle of Yorktown, confidence, stand up for country, pride
-Eliza stood stage right on staircase,Washington stood stage left on staircase. Hamilton decides between family and ambition, accepts war, Washington’s staircase wheeled centre stage and Hamilton goes up the staircase
2 Sound
Designer?
Nevin Steinberg
-Gunshots during battle in ‘Stay Alive’, ensemble mimed shooting in synchronised movement, lined up perfectly with sound effect
-CD scratching and ‘whooshing’ sound effect, clearly show the flashback of Angelica meeting Hamilton
2 Music
Designer?
Lin Manuel Miranda
-King’s first song ‘You’ll be back’ pop genre, humour in lyrics, almost like a break-up song, childish, comic relief
-Breaks fourth wall when introduce cabinet battle, draw attention. Rap battle genre gives information quickly, insults are comical yet show opposing views, attractive to younger audience
Eliza
2 Costume
Designer?
Paul Tazewell
Blue ball gown with white frill, large pleated skirts with a bump pad–>wealth, fashionable in time of late 1700s, femininity
White nightgown when burning letters–> colour symbolism for purity, innocence, sympathy for her as Hamilton cheated
Mariah Reynolds
1 Costume
Designer?
Paul Tazewell
Red ball gown with corset top and red lipstick–>colour symbolism of seductive, desire to look attractive, lure Hamilton into a trap, youthful
Alexander Hamilton
1 Costume
Designer?
Paul Tazewell
Green tailcoat with white ruffles–> asked by Lin Manuel-Miranda to be dressed in green to represent money, reflects his work on the economy of the USA, smart attire, respectable
3 Lighting
Designer?
Howell Binkley
-Opening scene, characters stand spread out on balcony, blue spotlight on each in canon, say line about relationship to Hamilton. Burr final one ‘I’m the damn fool who shot him’ overhead spotlight, centre stage, greatest importance
-White spotlight stage right on Hamilton, before doing first speech, speaks in an aside, large blue spotlight on freeze frame in revolve, empathy as he speaks about death
-Gobo of target pattern on double revolve during duel between Burr and Hamilton, foreshadows use of guns and danger. Gobo of rippling water on outer revolve, ensemble mime the action of rowing, Hamilton across lake, physical theatre, realism in sad moment
Artistic intention main point?
-To create a historical account of the founding of America while using a diverse cast, modern staging techniques, and hip-hop inspired songs to make it relevant to a modern audience
Artistic intention 3 points?
-Hamilton stands on block centrestage, takes control as leader, ensemble in a circle around him, hand gestures of pointing, passionate, eye contact with ensemble around him, powerful speaker, building rapport w them, smiling with eyebrows raised, hope, importance of his first speech in history
-Breaks fourth wall when introduce cabinet battle, draw attention. Rap battle genre gives information quickly, insults are comical yet show opposing views, attractive to younger audience
-Green tailcoat with white ruffles–> asked by Lin Manuel-Miranda to be dressed in green to represent money, reflects his work on the economy of the USA, smart attire, respectable
-Diverse cast, importance of all races in american history, reinforce Hamilton’s attitudes towards equality
1 Key moment
‘My Shot’
-White spotlight stage right on Hamilton, before doing first speech, speaks in an aside like a soliloquy, show his feelings about death, empathy
-Ensemble create a still image, spins slowly on the revolve, time is still passing while Hamilton considers his life, no time for feelings
-Large blue spotlight on the revolve, melancholic atmosphere
-Crossfades into golden spotlight on revolve, when doing speech, hope
-Stands on block centrestage, takes control as a leader, ensemble in a circle around him
2 Ensemble acting
Choreographer?
Andy Blankenbuehler
-Members of ensemble bring individual blocks and chairs in slow motion then stand on them after battle of Yorktown, slowly raise their arms out, confidence, stand up for country, pride
-Ensemble create a still image before Hamilton’s first speech, spins slowly on the revolve, time is still passing and running out while Hamilton considers his life, no time for feelings
