Lin-Manuel Miranda and Phillipa Soo in as Alexander and Eliza Hamilton.

Lin-Manuel Miranda and Phillipa Soo in as Alexander and Eliza Hamilton.

The film version lets viewers see Miranda in his star turn as the title character;Phillipa Soo in her searing performance as Hamilton's wife,Eliza;Christopher Jackson's George Washington;Daveed Diggs as Marquis de Lafayette and Thomas Jefferson;and Jonathan Groff as King George III.

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For music theatre fans who didn't get to seeHamilton on Broadway as I did,the opportunity to witness these roles played as they were originally intended is invaluable,and for everyone else it is a treat to relive.

The story follows Hamilton's rough start in the world as a"bastard,orphan,son of a whore",through his time as George Washington's right-hand man,to becoming the first treasurer of the United States.

People of colour tell the history of America,one built on the back of immigrants,through hip-hop,R'n'B ballads and rap. The single traditional showtune is reserved for the only caucasian role in the show,that of King George.

Hamilton is the perfect introduction to musical theatre,and even if you hate musicals this might get you singing a different tune. It is modern and the sung-through presentation works brilliantly with hip-hop and rap. The show also tells a cracking story which has significant and continuing relevance to our contemporary world.

Hamilton is a masterpiece in any form. Miranda's expert songwriting and lyrics,Kail's strong direction and clever use of space and Andy Blankenbuehler's extraordinary choreography,which blends street dance with traditional dance,results in a show that is fresh and original. It doesn't take long to understand why it is such a phenomenon.

Whether you subscribe to Disney+ to see the film version or hold out until the Australian production opens in March next year,Hamilton is simply a must-see piece of theatre and it is well worth your time,and money,to do both.

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