🎭 Hamilton in London - Review

wanderingazuki
Aug 15
5 min read

Updated: Sep 10

“I’m not throwing away my shot.” – Alexander Hamilton, Hamilton

Overall Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆

Badge: Worth a Wander 🌿

I finally got to watch Hamilton live in London—a long-time bucket list dream of mine ever since I first saw it on Disney+. I’ve sung through the soundtrack more times than I can count, and the original cast recording is probably my most-watched film on the platform. With expectations sky-high, I couldn’t wait to experience it live—and from the moment the first beat dropped, I was hooked.

📒 Show Details

📌 Venue: Victoria Palace Theatre

📍 Address: Victoria Street, London SW1E 5EA

🌐 Website: https://hamiltonmusical.com/london

🚇 Nearest Tube: Victoria Station (Victoria, Circle & District lines)

⏰ Duration: Approx. 2 hours 45 minutes (including interval)

👆Booked via: TodayTix app

🚇 Getting There

Victoria Palace Theatre is right next to Victoria Station, making it one of the most accessible theatres in London.

If you're travelling by public transport:

Tube lines: Victoria, District, and Circle lines all stop at Victoria Station
Train: National Rail services run directly to Victoria from areas outside of London
Bus: Several London bus routes stop at or near Victoria
Walking: If you're staying central, it's a lovely 10–15 minute walk from Westminster or St. James's Park

📝 Note: Allow a bit of extra time during rush hour—Victoria can get very busy, especially on weekends and evenings!

📚 Story & Script

The storytelling in Hamilton is incredibly strong. Even though the entire show is sung-through—a first for me in musical theatre—I was able to follow along with ease, despite not being very familiar with this part of American history.

One detail I absolutely loved was how some members of the main cast played different characters across the two acts. It was such a smart way to build depth while keeping the ensemble tight, and it added layers of symbolism and emotion to the transitions between acts.

✨ Tip: If you're unfamiliar with the history, don’t worry—you’ll still find the plot easy to follow thanks to the sharp lyrics and clear direction.

🎭 The Performance

The cast gave it their all, and there were some clear standouts for me:

Eliza brought tenderness and strength that made her journey hit hard emotionally.
John Laurens/Philip Hamilton was bursting with energy and charisma—I loved his singing voice the most in this performance
Hamilton himself brought a refreshing interpretation, putting his own spin on the role without mimicking Lin-Manuel Miranda.

I genuinely appreciated how this cast made the show their own, injecting personality and nuance that kept it feeling fresh and alive.

🎶 The Music & Production

It was so hard not to sing along—I was definitely vibing at the start, but I held back in case it distracted my neighbours. It also felt a bit surreal watching it live without the background laughter you hear in the Disney+ version.

You don’t need me to tell you the music is brilliant—the R&B hooks are seriously catchy, and I really enjoyed the mix of rapping and singing throughout. Even though I’m no expert in things like diction or bass, I could still appreciate how smooth and powerful everything sounded live.

✨ Tip: If you’ve only experienced Hamilton through Disney+, you’ll catch new inflections, dynamics, and staging decisions in the live version that add richness to the storytelling.

🪑 The Theatre Experience

My seat was in the Royal Circle, Row E. Now, about the seats—at 154cm tall, I found the seat length a bit uncomfortable as it didn’t fully support my thighs. Thankfully, there was generous legroom, which made a difference. What really saved the experience was the view: two rows ahead were empty, giving me a clear, centred sightline to the stage.

The theatre itself is a bit older, and the seat cushions weren’t the most comfortable. Knowing the script and roughly how long it would be until the interval, I found myself counting down the minutes—not because I wasn’t enjoying the show, but because the seating was tough to settle into.

🎨 Stage Design & Visuals

What truly amazed me was how the supporting cast doubled as part of the stage design, especially through their choreography. Their movement guided the story, filled transitions, and brought scenes to life without the need for constant set changes.

From my slightly elevated seat, I got a semi-bird’s-eye view that gave me a perspective I hadn’t experienced when watching Hamilton on Disney+. I could see the high platform action clearly, which added depth and nuance I’d missed before—it genuinely enriched the performance.

📝 Note: If you’ve only seen the show from a front-on view (like on screen), sitting slightly above may offer a fresh take on the visual storytelling.

💰 Cost Summary

🎟️ Ticket Price – £75 per person

For our seats in the Royal Circle (Row E), we paid £75 per person, which felt like a fair price for the view and overall experience. This section gave us a centred vantage point with a great perspective of the stage, especially with a few empty rows in front.

If you’re hoping for a seat in the Stalls, especially central ones, be prepared to pay more—prices generally start from £90 and can climb well over £100, depending on the day, demand, and how close you want to be to the action.

✨ Tip: If you’re flexible with dates or booking in advance, you might spot occasional deals or weekday performances with better value.

💭 Final Thoughts

Hamilton in London is absolutely worth watching—especially if you're already a fan of the musical. While nothing can quite replicate the polished perfection of the original cast recording on Disney+, the live performance has its own raw electricity, charisma, and unexpected moments that make it feel fresh and alive.

The energy in the room is something you just can’t get through a screen. From the catchy R&B melodies and rapid-fire rap verses to the emotional solos and clever transitions, the cast delivers it all with heart. They bring their own interpretations to the roles, adding nuance and humour in ways that genuinely surprised me. Watching the supporting cast weave in and out of scenes, sometimes forming the stage itself through movement, reminded me just how much artistry goes into live theatre.

Seeing it from a slightly higher angle even gave me a new appreciation for the staging—I noticed things I’d never caught on Disney+, like subtle interactions happening on the upper platform. It’s those little details that elevate the experience.

While the seats weren’t the most comfortable (especially if you’re on the shorter side like me), the incredible view and immersive performance more than made up for it.

It’s a powerful reminder of why we go to the theatre in the first place—to feel the story unfolding around us, live, in the room where it happens.

🧳Your Turn to Wander In🧋

Have you seen Hamilton live, either in London or elsewhere?
How did it compare to the Disney+ version for you?
Which song or moment stuck with you the most?

Let me know in the comments or drop me a message—I’d love to swap thoughts and favourite lines!

Please also check out my Tripadvisor review and Googlemaps review