Hamilton cast member wants to inspire others into theatre

Michael Stewart said: "If you would have told me 15 years ago that I’d be doing this, I’d say you’re joking"

One of the cast members of the musical Hamilton hopes featuring in the musical will prove to others, "regardless" of where they are from, that they can do it too.

Michael James Stewart grew up in Southmead, Bristol, and is featuring in the Tony award winning show at Bristol Hippodrome until 22 June.

Created by American actor and writer Lin-Manuel Miranda, the show tells the story of Alexander Hamilton, an immigrant from the West indies who served as treasury secretary in George Washington's first cabinet.

Mr Stewart, who is the stand-in Mulligan and Washington in the musical, said the show was "a big stepping stone" for him.

The show tells the story of Alexander Hamilton, an immigrant from the West indies who served as treasury secretary in George Washington's first cabinet

Mr Stewart said: "I’m from a single parent family, it is hard but people can do it and I think this musical exactly shows why.

"If you would have told me 15 years ago that I’d be doing this, I’d say you’re joking. It is possible."

He added: "The grind is serious but the reward at the end is serious."

Mr Stewart said he was first interested in performing arts during his school days, where he studied a BTech in drama.

"The teacher said to me – would you do this after school? Would you go on to do this at a higher level? My mum said ‘I don’t know if there’s any work in that sort of stuff.”

Mr Stewart said he then "took a leap of faith" and decided to study drama at college.

"It’s been steamrolling ever since."

Shaq Taylor said it was an "honour" to be a part of one of the greatest musicals of all time

Performing alongside Mr Stewart, Shaq Taylor, who plays Hamilton, said it was "a joy and honour" to be a part of "one of the greatest musicals of all time".

"People that have never been to a theatre before are coming to the theatre for the first time and seeing this show and being absolutely blown away," he said.

Hamilton features a number of musical styles, including hip-hop, jazz, blues, rap, R&B and Broadway.

Mr Taylor said he believes the show has "opened a new lane" and "new eyes" to musical theatre, especially with its blends of hip-hop and rap.

"I don’t think that’s something that’s been explored that much before in musical theatre and that’s opened up to other genres as well," he said.

'Very relatable'

Mr Stewart agreed and said the show was "very relatable" to a lot of people, "especially people with mixed-race heritage".

While they both think it needs to be better, Mr Taylor and Mr Stewart said the show was opening doors for people "with any sort of heritage", on and off the stage.

Meanwhile, Mr Stewart said while it "should have happened a long time ago", representation has "got a lot better in the last 12 years or so".

"I think it’s been a great turn for musical theatre," said Mr Taylor.