The all-singing, all-dancing, all-hip-hop musical theatre phenomenon that is Hamilton is heading to Sunderland this month as it makes a stop on a successful UK tour.
And as the Sunderland Empire prepares to welcome the hit musical, The Northern Echo spoke to its star Marley Fenton who plays America's first treasury secretary Alexander Hamilton in the show.
Marley, 23, bagged the role of Hamilton after starring in a tour of Grease and has travelled the country bringing the story of the founding father of the USA to stages up and down the nation.
Debuting in 2015 on Broadway, Lin-Manuel Miranda's retelling of the life of Alexander Hamilton became a smash hit almost instantly and transferred to the West End in 2017 - selling out the Victoria Palace Theatre almost every night since.
"I've never done something so big," Marley told The Northern Echo, but said that anyone who wants to be in the room where it happens needs to act fast.
"Everything is such a high standard, the cast, the costumes, the set.
"It's probably the biggest show that will come to Sunderland in a while."
Marley is from Salford and a Manchester City fan, so was excited to see Sunderland's promotion to the Premier League knowing he would be visiting the city this summer.
"So I need to go and visit the Stadium of Light. It's nice to see places when you're touring.
"We hear that there's a great beach that we're looking out for. So hopefully we get some good weather."
Be in the room where it happens!
— CameronMackintoshLtd (@CamMackLtd) May 23, 2025
Hamilton continues its journey around the UK & Ireland on its first National Tour, now playing at the Liverpool Empire, alongside the West End production at its home at London's Victoria Palace Theatre.
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Marley is set to feature in the blockbuster sequel to Wicked which releases this autumn and ties up the story of the musical Wizard of Oz prequel.
He is joined on stage by Billy Nevers who takes the role of anti-hero Aaron Burr, the narrator of the show who killed Hamilton in a duel.
Casey Al-Shaqsy will play Eliza Hamilton from Wednesday 26 March, joining the company for the first time.
Also joining the company are Chasity Crisp as Angelica Schuyler, Ashley J. Daniels as Marquis de Lafayette/Thomas Jefferson, Shak Mancel James as John Laurens/Philip Hamilton, Naomi Katiyo as Peggy Schuyler/Maria Reynolds and Louis Maskell as King George.Â
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Continuing in the production are KM Drew Boateng as Hercules Mulligan/James Madison and Akmed Junior Khemalai, now playing the role of George Washington.
Hamilton is playing the Sunderland Empire from June 17 to July 26.
Ticket prices start at £15 and can be bought on the Empire's website.
