Words: Violet Del Toro
Image: David Wilkinson

5 Stars

For the month of August, Edinburgh rivals New York as the city that never sleeps. Bars buzz until 5am, and shows run from breakfast into the night, even on Sundays. And while most Sundays I’m more of a “Netflix and nap” type, I found myself at the 19:35 performance of Shamilton! at Assembly George Square Studios, quietly nursing my low energy. Five minutes in, I was wide awake and laughing out loud.

Shamilton! is pure Fringe magic: an improvised hip-hop musical that takes the framework of Hamilton and injects it with a fresh new story each night, based entirely on audience suggestion. The night I attended? The audience chose Gollum.

The cast open with the new, Gollum version of “Alexander Hamilton”, concocting lines that get cheers and chortles when phrases like mount doom and my precious! are woven into the rap. The brilliance of this cast is staggering. Performers are doing this show – a new show essentially – every single day. On the spot they create a whole new narrative, crafting lyrics and raps to the sheet music of Hamilton. It’s a tall order and they execute it so well.

Whether you’re a musical theatre die-hard or just looking for a show that’s guaranteed to lift your spirits, Shamilton! delivers. It’s bold, unpredictable, and laugh-out-loud funny. The perfect way to close out an opening weekend, or any night, of the Fringe. I’m already plotting a return visit before the month is up, I had so much fun.

Shamilton! The Improvised Hip-Hop Musical
Studio One at Assembly George Square Studios
19:35
1st – 24th August