Superscript

Article - time and how it impacts the human experience in hamilton

Thomas Kail (Director of Hamilton): From the very first tragedy we experience to when our parents explain the idea of death to us, we are always aware of how quickly our life can end at any moment. Because of this, humans are often determined to make their mark. Through raising a family to trying to achieve fame or relevance, we are always striving to build a legacy.

Milla Wakelin (Author of Hamilton: The Musical that Blew Us All Away): Hamilton uses a variety of conventions to expertly convey the pressure we often feel to leave something behind. That is basically what theatre is about. Showing us scenes that truly touch, delight us, disparage us – making us feels these emotions because we can relate to the character’s experiences. Both Hamilton and Burr – arguably all men and women depicted in the musical, are fixed on making their mark.

“I was young and dreamed of glory…”

Thomas Kail: The passing of time is communicated using several different elements of mise en scene. Through costume, it is clear how time has passed from each scene and from Act 1 to 2, as Hamilton changes from a brown jacket to his blue coat to a green suit, also symbolising the fact he is now a money-hungry lawyer who “dresses like the pits of fashion”. Towards the end of the show, Hamilton dresses in black and white after his son’s death and as he nears his own.

The set itself also changes to show how time has passed. From scene to scene, props like desks or chairs are erected to show a new setting. A chandelier is often lowered to show if characters are inside a room. Between Act 1 and 2, the walls also rise 8 feet taller, to show how the country is progressing.

The turntables also represent the passing of time, and how from life to death, our life moves in a cyclical motion. When the turntable moves backwards, the clock is rewinding for flashbacks.

Lighting is also used to signify a new scene or soliloquy. Blue lighting represents a soliloquy or something sombre, whilst gold is used to provide warm light for bars or family gatherings.

Milla Wakelin: There are so many little details that show passing time. From Act 1 to 2, the character’s hair even changes. The men have their hair up for practicality in the First Act, then down in the second. And the women, vice versa.

Samantha Jones (Conductor): For a play that’s shorter than most on Broadway, there’s so much history and information to get across. So many characters, it’s hard to pull yourself out of, say, Angelica’s mind in Satisfied to Hamilton’s companions mind in The Story of Tonight. We used musical motifs for each character or group to make this easier.

The Alexander Hamilton riff signals narration, the My Shot riff signifies Hamilton and his ambition, and the Helpless riff transports us into Eliza’s mind, her devotion and desperation.

And as these are used over time, we are made aware of the time that has passed and all that has changed. For example, the Alexander Hamilton piano riff is used in the start as a prologue, and then again in Yorktown (The World Turned Upside Down). The audience sees how far we have come from this 19-year-old kid who just wants to make a mark, to this soldier with a command, about to go into the most important war of his life.

Milla Wakelin: There are also a lot of sound affects used to show time. Even in the iconic Disney introduction, you can hear a clock ticking in the background. The clicking in Alexander Hamilton also resembles that of a clock.

Thomas Kail: We had to make the audience understand the time was passing quickly, and Hamilton often felt he was running out of time.

In songs like Non-Stop, the chaotic choreography and many riffs show how rushed Hamilton is, how busy he is even after war.

John Ross (Editor of Hamilton): Time is a very prevalent theme in Hamilton. It is mentioned 61 times in total and legacy is mentioned ten times.

In “My Shot,” Hamilton says “See, I never thought I’d live past twenty. Where I come from some get half as many. Ask anybody why we livin’ fast and we laugh, reach for a flask, we have to make this moment last, that’s plenty.”He says the word “time” ten times in this song.

Milla Wakelin: The fact he has been surrounded by people who didn’t have enough time makes Hamilton resolved to take advantage of every opportunity, to not throw away his shot. We see this as he rises through the ranks in war times, becomes a rich lawyer post war, then treasury secretary. His determination is clearly evident in songs like Non-Stop.

“Why do you write live you’re running out of time, write day and night like you’re running out of time, how do you write every second you’re alive, every second you’re alive. Every second you’re alive.”

Richard Williams (Author of Burr: Hero or Villian?): Burr, who has also been surrounded by those who do not have enough time “My mother was a genius My father commanded respect When they died, they left no instructions. Just a legacy to protect,” also wants to leave his mark, but he goes a different way. Burr’s motto is: “Wait for it.” He even advises Hamilton: “Talk less. Smile more. Don’t let them know what you’re against or what you’re for.” And he foreshadows Hamilton’s cause of death – along with many of his friends – through saying, “If you talk, you’re gonna get shot.”

Milla Wakelin: These two very different people are both impacted by time, or the impending idea that they do not have enough.

Thomas Kail: Their opposing forces are a very common motif throughout the musical. As Hamilton writes in Your Obedient Servant, they have 30 years of disagreements. Whether it is a small disagreement in Farmer Refuted, to the scandal of the Reynolds Pamphlet…

Richard Williams: Though they fought a lot, Hamilton, and Burr both had very similar goals. To make a legacy.

“Didja hear the news about good old General Mercer? HAMILTON No. BURR You know Clermont Street? HAMILTON Yeah. BURR They renamed it after him. The Mercer legacy is secure. HAMILTON Sure. BURR And all he had to do was die. HAMILTON That’s a lot less work. BURR We oughta give it a try.”

Thomas Kail: Their differences are shown through a variety of conventions. Including movement, as Hamilton walks in long strides, in different directions and Burr walks forward and back in concise strides.

This only really changes in The Room Where it Happens, when Burr decides to switch parties so he can further advance in politics, eventually running for President in 1800.

Their costume is also contrasting in Act 1, where Hamilton is wearing a lowly brown jacket and Burr wears a rich suit. In Act 2, their suits are very different as well. Hamilton wears an obnoxious jade suit, whereas Burr dresses in more modest dark shades.

Richard Williams: Both of their ambition and pride led to Hamilton’s death and Burr’s reputation being tarnished.

Time, the fact they felt they didn’t have enough, led to their rivalry.

John Ross: In Who Lives, Who Dies, Who Tells Your Story, the idea of legacy is shown in example. Eliza carrying on Hamilton’s legacy through interviewing soldiers, standing up against slavery and establishing an orphanage. Time is mentioned more times than ever in this song.

“And when my time is up, Have I done enough? Will they tell my story?”