How Hamilton hip-hopped to a night of glory
IT is the hip hop musical that sent the West End into a frenzy, with tickets being touted for up to £6,000.
And last night Hamilton dominated the Olivier Awards, winning seven of the record 13 categories in which it was nominated.
The show, about the life of one of America’s Founding Fathers Alexander Hamilton, was named best new musical. Giles Terera, who plays the part of Aaron Burr, won the award for best actor in a musical.
Michael Jibson won best supporting actor in a musical for his portrayal of King George III, while the show’s creator Lin-Manuel Miranda and orchestrator Alex Lacamoire won the award for outstanding achievement in music.
Hamilton also won accolades for lighting design, sound design and theatre choreographer. Despite making Olivier Award history by receiving the most ever nominations for a show, Hamilton did not beat the record of Harry Potter And The Cursed Child which won nine out of 11 last year. But before the ceremony at the Royal Albert Hall, hosted by Catherine Tate, Jibson said Hamilton was ‘one of the most exciting experiences’ of his career, describing the production as ‘like nothing anyone has ever seen before’.
Stars took to the red carpet under umbrellas to ward off the rain. Among them was Jason Donovan, 49, who had brought his teenage children Jemma and Zac. Ten years ago the beaming youngsters had been unable to contain their excitement at being on the red carpet with their dad and mum Angela for the 2008 premiere in London of High School Musical 3.
Last night they took it all in their stride, posing confidently for the camera with their proud father who was himself nominated for an Olivier for his role in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat in 1992, before Jemma, now 18, and Zac, 17, were born.
The former Neighbours actor and his wife also have a third child, seven-year-old Molly.
American star Bryan Cranston, who was named best actor for his role as a TV anchor in Network, attended the awards sporting a Time’s Up pin.
Speaking about the movement against sexual harassment, Cranston – who is best known for TV hit Breaking Bad – said: ‘With every person that is brought to the attention, and the aggressors, whether sexually or power oppressors, when they fall, we have the opportunity to rebuild on a foundation of mutual respect.’
Lesley Manville, who lost out on the best actress award to Laura Donnelly for her role in The Ferryman, also spoke about the campaign, saying she was thankful the ‘tide has turned’ as a result of the movement.
Rockers Brian May and Ronnie Wood, both 70, appeared to be enjoying themselves as they arrived. Wood was in a navy, sequinned jacket while his wife Sally Humphreys, 40, wore a sparkly gold gown. May looked slick in a black suit, with his wife Anita Dobson in a blue skirt with a matching jacket.
‘Like nothing anyone has seen before’