Theatre evaluation- Hamilton Flashcards
Date of watching?
Where?
Alexander Hamilton?
Eliza Hamilton?
Peggy/Maria?
Set designer?
Sound designer?
Music designer?
Costume designer?
Lighting designer?
Ensemble choreographer?
Director?
20th March 2025
Victoria Palace Theatre
Alex Sawyer
Nathania Ong
Simbi Akande
David Korins
Nevin Steinberg
Lin Manuel Miranda
Paul Tazewell
Howell Binkley
Andy Blankenbuehler
Thomas Kail
Acting (2)
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, contemplation in soliloquy, connected to character’s emotions, sympathetic
-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, creates excitement at the start of his lead in the revolution
1 Staging
Proscenium arch–> used large set pieces such as staircases on wheels, engaging as constantly moving to set the scene for a long duration. Quite far back, hard to see facial expression, relied on emotion in voice, feel connected through passionate tone
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, symbolises hierarchy, clear to understand characters positions during multirole
-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, audience feel in awe of the achievement
-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 ascends the staircase, marked the moment, impactful decision, tense as the decision was important, staircases mirrored this
2 Sound
Designer?
Nevin Steinberg
-Diegetic sound of gunshots during battle in ‘Stay Alive’, ensemble mimed shooting in synchronised movement, lined up perfectly with sound effect, sense of naturalism, feel tense for their lives
-CD scratching and ‘whooshing’ sound effect, clearly show the flashback of Angelica meeting Hamilton, easier to understand plot, exciting
3 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, broke tension, feel relaxed, separated enjoyable character
-Breaks fourth wall when introduce cabinet battle, draw attention. Rap battle genre gives information about their financial plans quickly, hard to follow, used comical insults, clear frustration
-Lyricist (Lin) used real life Washington’s ‘Farewell Address’ in verbatim at end of ‘One Last Time’ , transported back to time period, accurate historical account
Eliza
2 Costume
Designer?
Paul Tazewell
Blue ball gown with white frill, large pleated skirts with a bump pad–>wealth, admire the fashion in time of late 1700s, femininity
White nightgown with blue ribbon when burning letters–> colour symbolism for purity, innocence, sympathy for her as Hamilton cheated, contrasts vibrant red of Maria
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, clear danger to audience, feel tense at wrong choice
-Contrasts Eliza’s blue innocent colour, and bold colour helps to show different characters as the actor- Simbi Akande- multi roled as Peggy and Maria
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, attractive on stage, clear character
3 Lighting
Designer?
Howell Binkley
-Opening scene, characters stand spread out on balcony, blue spotlight on each in canon, say line foreshadowing relationship to Hamilton. Burr final one ‘I’m the damn fool who shot him’ overhead spotlight, centre stage, greatest importance, feel anticipation for events to continue and solve enigma for why he shot him
-White spotlight stage right on Hamilton, before doing first speech, speaks in an aside, large blue spotlight on freeze frame on mechanical revolve, empathy as he speaks about death, feel connected to character
-Gobo of target pattern on double mechanical 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’s body across lake, physical theatre, realism in sad moment, feel sorrow for character
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 5 points?
-‘My Shot’ speaks in an aside before making first speech, shows his feelings about his future, empathy and engagement from audience, furrowed brows in concern, stands with arms by his side, moment of stillness, effective
-Breaks fourth wall when introducing cabinet battle, draw attention. Rap battle genre gives information about financial plans quickly, insults are comical yet show opposing views, attractive to younger audience, however is hard to understand if not pay attention
-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, attracts to modern audience
-Lyricist (Lin) used real life Washington’s ‘Farewell Address’ in verbatim at end of ‘One Last Time’ , transported back to time period, accurate historical account
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 mechanical 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 mechanical revolve, time is still passing and running out while Hamilton considers his life, no time for feelings
