Heading towards its eighth year in the West End, the multi-award-winning phenomenon Hamilton continues to bring audiences from around the world into the room where it happened. The Broadway production recently celebrated its 10th anniversary! With no sign of the hype surrounding this musical slowing down, we spoke with Daniel Boys to find out what it's really like to be part of theatre history!
Daniel Boys.
How did you discover Hamilton, and what was it about it that made you want to be involved?
When the cast album was released, everyone was talking about this musical called Hamilton. Of course, as an actor in musicals, I love to stay up to date with what’s going on. When I first started listening to it I remember thinking I’m not sure this is really my thing, but then something happened when I heard “Helpless”. The more I listened to it, the more I just fell in love with it. The music was so new, inspiring, and brilliantly written. I even knew when I heard Jonathan Groff singing the King song, I could see myself doing it.
I actually didn’t get seen for the role when it came to London for a few years. When I got to the final, they went with Joel Montague. But when I heard the UK tour was happening, I put it out into the universe. I did the original UK tour; it was the chance for people who hadn’t been to London to see it in their home cities. It was a great 15 months!
For those who may not have seen it yet, can you tell us what Hamilton is about?
Hamilton is a musical that contains a lot of things that people can relate to, even though it's based on political things during the American Revolution. It has themes of empowerment and standing up for what you believe, with love elements thrown in there, too. The main theme of just fighting for what you believe is right couldn't be more kind of apt for today's society, really, with what's going on in the world.
You play the role of King George. How have you made him your own and not been too influenced by other people who have portrayed this character?
I think with the King’s character, we’re lucky in the fact that we can bring our own stamp on things, but it's still quite regimented in how the producing team likes it to be portrayed. They certainly like you to bring your own ideas but ultimately, he’s a spoiled child and you can play it how you like.
You can play King George’s character daily of how you’re feeling. If I’m feeling slightly down or frustrated offstage, I can bring that to character and people will still find it funny and it will still work. Or if I'm feeling hyper one day, I can kind of make him this hyperactive child. It's just a really fun part to play because ultimately he's almost like the villain of the piece, but the audiences love the King. I don't know what it is about him. I think Lin-Manuel has pitched him perfectly and the way he appears in the show is that moment of kind of, ah, we can just relax a bit. It also goes into this style of Elton John and The Beatles in the music too.
Your character has this interesting blend of comedy and being slightly menacing too - how do you balance these elements as an actor?
It’s tricky to get that balance because you are meant to be comedic, but he is this villain. He’s a pompous king who isn’t getting his own way, and he’s never had anyone say no to him his entire life.
What’s interesting, speaking to the various directors we’ve had, is that you don’t actually need to do much. He’s a king, so actually he doesn’t need to move around, and that’s why it has been directed the way it has. He stands on the spot, and it’s difficult as an actor because normally comedy parts are big and over the top. In this character, you purely rely on the truth of the lyrics and what you're saying. They're so clever and so witty that you don't really have to do a lot. As long as you're playing the truth of what he's saying and add your little bit of sparkle to whatever it is, it just works.
You are also not on the stage for long, so how do you ensure you make the most of the time you have to make an impact as your character?
I say this to people all the time. It’s the most bizarre part I’ve ever played because as the king, you’re on stage for nine and a half minutes, that’s it. But for some reason, it has such a massive impact on the show. It's a credit to Lin-Manuel, who wrote this part, that people just love him.
If King George could sing a different song in Hamilton, which one would it be?
Oh, I've always said this. I think George would love to sing Say No To This. As Mariah, of course. I think I can absolutely see the King kind of sauntering on, giving it his sexy Mariah. And also I think he'd probably love getting a bit flirty with Hamilton. There's something inside the relationship there, isn't there?
Finally, how would you describe Hamilton in three words..
Revolutionary, exciting, and incredible.
Hamilton continues to play at the Victoria Palace Theatre, where it is currently booking until 3 October 2026.
