The play that changed my life: ‘I fell in love with Hamilton – it gave me confidence for my own script’

Our series on transformative theatrical discoveries continues with Lin-Manuel Miranda’s musical, as remembered by the man who played Aaron Burr on its London premiere in 2017

My agent said: “They want to see you for this show, Hamilton.” I had never heard of Alexander Hamilton but I knew it was hip-hop. I’m not really that kind of performer. My agent said: “Just listen to it.” When I did, I thought the person who has written this is obviously aware of all of musical theatre. They’re aware of Sondheim, they’re aware of Kander and Ebb – and Gilbert and Sullivan, even.

The chosen form is hip-hop in parts, but essentially it’s a very strong piece of musical theatre about the creation of the US as we know it. It’s also about a young man who is really struggling to try to make something of himself which is the stuff of musicals.
It was so beautifully written, so smart, so witty and yet very raw emotionally. I just fell in love with it.