Hamilton has been on my radar for a while. It's one of the most successful Broadway musicals in history and has received rave reviews from almost anyone, including the Adver editor and democracy reporter. 

Unfortunately I've never had the chance to see it live, and with the coronavirus causing the complete shut-down of all theatres, I don't know when I would get to. 

But along came Disney. The entertainment giant bought the distribution rights to a version of Hamilton that was filmed on Broadway in 2016 with the original cast including Lin Manuel-Miranda (of Mary Poppins Returns fame). 

The house of mouse paid a record $75m for a single film distribution after facing stiff competition from other companies such as Warner Bros and Netflix.

It was originally set for an October 2021 cinema release but due to the coronavirus pandemic it was brought forward and released on Disney+ to coincide with July 4.

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The plot revolves around the life of founding father Alexander Hamilton (played by Miranda) as he fights in the American revolution and plays a key role in creating the constitution of the United States. And his ultimate downfall thanks to long-time friend and occasional enemy Aaron Burr.

The music is a mix of rap, hip-hop and soul and creates a unique blend that makes the tunes stand out in your memory so much that you'll be singing them for days.

The casting was of particular note with BAME actors playing the roles of white characters such as George Washington and Thomas Jefferson.

This is one of the reasons why Hamilton is unique and why it has become a staple for American culture.

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Many members of the cast standout as you fly through this 260-minute experience, not least Eliza Schuyler (Phillipa Soo) and her sister Angelica (Renee Elise Goldsberry).

Another standout is Daveed Diggs who plays both Marquis de Lafayette and Thomas Jefferson, with his latter performance giving him much more to play with.

He creates Jefferson with a charismatic devilishness which makes you immediately fall in love with the character who is one of Hamilton’s main rivals.

A scene-stealer for me was Jonathan Groff as King George. He only appears in three scenes and performs three songs but he is one of the best parts of this show, bringing the laughs.

You can tell he relishes the role and that he would play this character every day if he had the chance. Plus the tunes are so catchy you’ll be humming them in your sleep.

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My main concern for this ‘film’ if you can call it that, was how a stage show would translate to a television screen.

Ultimately, I found I didn’t notice it. In some ways it kept me more enthralled than a traditional film would, even if you could see the conductor, hear the audience and watch the lighting rigs.

Overall, Hamilton is an incredible experience with some amazingly emotional moments and some brilliant show tunes.

If you’ve been wanting to see this show on stage but haven’t had the chance I’d give this a go, if you’re a fan of musicals you’ll love this and even if you don’t you’ll be able to find some enjoyment.

Hamilton: ★★★★★