Hamilton the musical in Sydney: Everything you need to know

You've probably heard your friends talking about it or seen the yellow and black flag adverts fluttering from almost every lamp post in Sydney, but are unsure what all the fuss is about.

So what actually is Hamilton?

Here is all you need to know about the hottest theatre show in Australia which had its star-studded official premiere last night.

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What is Hamilton?

It's a musical stage show which has become a massive cult hit around the world.

But forget your old fashioned Sound of Music and Phantom of the Opera, much of the music in Hamilton wouldn't be out of place on the hippest radio station.

In fact the cast album topped the rap chart in America and the title song has been streamed more than 145m times on Spotify.

While there are a few hummable showtunes, the music is mostly a blend of rap, hip hop, jazz, and R'n'B.

It's based on a true story about Alexander Hamilton, who was one of the men who founded America.

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And while it sounds like a yawn-some school history lesson, it's surprisingly gripping - especially when it comes to his personal life and rivalries (spoiler: there's a kind of love triangle, plus another woman).

The show was created by American writer (and in our opinion, genius) Lin-Manuel Miranda.

He also played the title role in the show on Broadway; it opened in 2015.

You'll have heard his stuff before as he wrote the music for Disney flick Moana, and was also in Mary Poppins Returns (also check out his upcoming movie musical In the Heights out in June, which he wrote before Hamilton).

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The musical is a bit different, as it has actors of colour playing all main roles - even though they were actually white in real life.

If you think it all sounds familiar, a filmed version of the show was released during lockdown last year on Disney + and got a lot of hype.

Why should I go see Hamilton?

The show has broken records and won every major award going around the world.

When it opened in New York, for the first few years, it was impossible to get a ticket, unless you splashed out thousands of dollars.

Remarkably, because of our successful quashing of coronavirus, the Sydney version is the only Hamilton in the world open right now, with big theatre hubs Broadway and the West End still closed.

The show also has a big celebrity following - everybody from Prince Harry and Meghan and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are fans.

Other A-listers who have gushed about it include Beyonce and Jay Z, the Obamas, Jennifer Lopez, Alicia Keyes, Amy Schumer, Emma Watson, Neil Patrick Harris, Oprah, Kanye, Meryl Streep, Selena Gomez....

US President Joe Biden also enrolled Miranda to read a poem at his inauguration.

Who is in the cast of Hamilton in Australia?

There's no names you'll recognise in the cast, but they're all talented pro musical performers.

They all hail from Australia and New Zealand and include Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander actors, and performers with heritage ranging from South African to Nigerian.

Alexander Hamilton is played by unknown Jason Arrow - and he totally nails the lead role.

By the end we felt like we were watching Miranda himself.

Hamilton's wife Eliza is played by the stunning Chloe Zuel, who musical fans might have seen in Six at the Opera House last year.

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And the actor playing fan favourite, King George III, Brent Hill, got all the laughs... he's hilarious.

Review of Hamilton

It's really hard to sum up how stunning the show is.

For those who have watched the Disney + version or have seen it overseas, you won't be disappointed at the Aussie version.

There's not many shows where characters get a round of applause just for appearing on stage, because fans know what's coming.

Hamilton newbies, meanwhile, will be hooked from the start, and won't be able to wait to get home to listen to the soundtrack.

The production captures all the energy and emotion of Broadway or the West End without having to get on a plane (not that it's allowed, or there are any shows open).

Even if you're not usually into musical theatre, consider this one a must-see.

What songs are in Hamilton?

If you haven't Spotified the music yet, we recommend listening to it before you go, as it can take some listening to catch all the details.

It's the biggest musical on Spotify with over a billion listens.

Also play My Shot, You'll be Back, The Schuyler Sisters and The Room Where it Happens.

And get the tissues ready for It's Quiet Uptown and Burn.

Our face masks got all wet during those parts in the theatre.

What Hamilton merch can I buy?

On sale at the theatre are T-shirts, hoodies, hats, keyrings, water bottles, badges and mugs. We were disappointed there were no Hamilton face masks (Hamilmasks?) though, as we had our money ready.

Where is Hamilton on and how much are tickets in Australia?

The show is on at the Lyric Theatre at The Star in Pyrmont, Sydney.

Tickets start at $70 from ticketmaster.

There is a special weekly lottery though, where you can score a ticket for $10.

You can enter every Friday on the TodayTix app for the chance to buy two for a show for the next week.

What about coronavirus rules in theatres?

Coronavirus rules are in place, and you have to check in.

We had to wear a facemask throughout.

It's all very organised, with ropes in place for queuing but we would recommend getting there early.

With the show's running time nearing three hours, you'll be glad to know the bars are open for drinks and snacks.

There's no social distancing in the actual theatre, and at the end we had to leave row by row, when told.

The show currently has no closing date, and no plans have been announced for Hamilton to go to anywhere else in Australia yet, so for now, you'll need to travel to Sydney.

See the official website here