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Book Review: Hamilton and Me – An Actors Journey by Giles Terera

‘Tell the story.’ A mantra every actor should live by, and in Hamilton and Me - An Actor’s Journey, Giles Terera does just that.  While working to bring Hamilton to the London stage, Terera kept personal journals which now provide a fantastic insight into a process few outside the production bubble will ever get to witness. From the moment you start reading you soon realise this is not your usual coffee table ‘behind the scenes’ type of book. Insightful, honest, and reflective, the book discusses the deeper meanings of not only Terea's character of Arron Burr, and Hamilton as…

Summary

Rating

Unputdownable

A book that is insightful, honest, and reflective.

‘Tell the story.’ A mantra every actor should live by, and in Hamilton and Me – An Actor’s Journey, Giles Terera does just that. 

While working to bring Hamilton to the London stage, Terera kept personal journals which now provide a fantastic insight into a process few outside the production bubble will ever get to witness. From the moment you start reading you soon realise this is not your usual coffee table ‘behind the scenes’ type of book. Insightful, honest, and reflective, the book discusses the deeper meanings of not only Terea’s character of Arron Burr, and Hamilton as a production, but also what it takes physically and mentally to play such a role. 

Throughout Terara writes with a clarity that allows even those who have never experienced what it takes to bring a show to stage to become absorbed within that alien world. With each day’s entry a little of each of us can be seen in Terera’s thoughts; fears and reactions. We have all faced similar moments of joy, frustration, and even sheer exhaustion while doing something we love, and so can identify with him on many occasions as he undertakes this journey. 

More than just a good read, this book isn’t just for Hamilfans, with an almost academic quality to it, it would not be out of place on the reading lists of Drama courses Worldwide. Lin-Manuel Miranda states in the  introduction ‘this book is required reading for any actor halfway serious about their craft.’ – I wholeheartedly agree.  

Don’t throw away your shot to read this excellent book – grab a copy today.

Hamilton and Me – An Actor’s Journey is available to purchase all normal book shops from 1st July 2021.

About Sidonie F

Sidonie has a BA in Theatre Studies, and an MA in Arts Administration and Cultural Policy. Describing theatre as her ‘home’ she is never happier than when she is wandering around a theatre. One of her first theatre memories is watching Victoria warm up before a performance of Cats in Blackpool in 1989 - in the eyes of a 5 year old, Victoria was 100% cat. Now, sadly, some of the magical way a child sees things has faded, but that doesn’t stop her enjoying as much theatre as she can. She is partial to a good musical and has a love for the integration of digital technologies into live performance. On the rare occasion she gets to go to Broadway Sidonie is a firm believer of go big or go home, with the 2014 record of 11 shows in 8 days not yet having been beaten – but there is always next time.

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