We caught up with Marley Fenton, the star of Hamilton, ahead of the show’s run at Norwich Theatre Royal from 16 Sep to 25 Oct. We chatted about landing the lead role, rapping his way through the performance, and his pre-show rituals.
Tell us a little about you.
I’m Marley Fenton and I’m an actor and musician from Manchester. I have been a professional actor for two years now, since graduating from ArtsEd in 2023, and am currently playing Alexander Hamilton in the UK and Ireland Tour of Hamilton. Before that, I most recently played Danny Zuko in the national tour of Grease. I also play in a band called ‘good company’ who have songs out on all streaming services.
What was your reaction when you found out you were playing Hamilton?
Absolutely over the moon. I was speechless as it was something I worked so hard for and had been a dream of mine since I was about 16 years old. I called my mum straight away as I knew how proud she would be.
How did you prepare for the role of Hamilton?
Well, funnily enough it feels like I’ve been preparing since I was a teenager listening to Hamilton in my bedroom! But now it’s here and I’m doing it every night, focussing on my diction is the biggest thing. It’s not enough to make sure the audience can hear every word, every syllable. They need to be able to understand it. There are so many words in Hamilton, and they’re spoken extremely fast!
What is it like to bring Hamilton to life on stage?
It’s so exhilarating. Hamilton is a character who is always on the front foot with his energy and dialogue, whilst also having a lot of depth, and it’s so cool to enjoy that balance.
Why do you think people love it so much?
Hamilton mixes the traditional musical theatre style of the set and costumes, with the modern and contemporary take of the music and the language. It mixes rap, hip hop, jazz, R’n’B and soul with showstopper numbers like ‘My Shot’ and ‘Room Where it Happens’ and I think that’s exactly why people love it so much. It’s fun, new and exciting, whilst still upholding a recipe for classic musical theatre.
What is your favourite song to perform?
‘My Shot’ is definitely my favourite song to perform. It’s so early in the show and it really lets the audience know exactly what this show is going to be all about. The ‘sons of the liberty’ (i.e. Laurens, Lafayette and Mulligan) all get the chance to introduce themselves to Hamilton and it’s so fun to enjoy that initial interaction in rap form.
What is the most fun moment of the show for you?
I love the cabinet battles with Jefferson. It’s a time in the show to really enjoy and have fun with its rap battle format. It’s a moment when we take the mick out of each other and really express our characters’ dislike towards one another.
If you could play any other historical figure, who would it be and why?
Definitely Bob Marley. I was named after him, and he has been the biggest influence in my life, so I’d definitely like to give back and try to channel my inner Bob in some way.
What advice would you give to aspiring actors?
The biggest thing I’d say is to not compare yourself to anyone else. Everyone is on their own journey, and it doesn’t matter if you think people are ‘better’ than you. It doesn’t matter how fast or slow your progress is; it’s about how much you put in and how hard you work.
Do you have any favourite moments with the cast?
My favourite moment of any venue has to be our ‘Eduham’ performances. Once per venue we have a special extra show for schools and creative initiatives within that city. They go crazy for our show and their support is so amazing.
What is your must-have on tour?
Most definitely a Nintendo switch. Dressing room Mario Kart gets extremely competitive!
Do you have any pre-show rituals?
Before every show the whole cast come together with a little motivation from one person that day. We all put our hands in like a sports team and on the count of three, we say ‘HAM FAM’. It’s a lovely little ritual which gets us all in the mood for the show and gets our energy started.
You can catch Marley in Hamilton between 16 Sep – 25 Oct at Norwich Theatre Royal. For more information or to book, visit norwichtheatre.org or call the Box Office on 01603 630 000.
