Pleasance Courtyard
Considering that Amelia Hamilton is the UK’s first rap comic, we expect a certain level of ingenuity as we step into the venue. Hamilton exceeds our expectations a hundredfold. With catchy beats, genuinely unexpected and agile lyrical deviations and turns, Hamilton’s Forget Me Not is an unforgettable comedy-rap remix of non-stop hits, both comedic and musical.
Despite the subtle momento mori that underwrites Forget Me Not, this is an incredibly high-energy and high octane show. Every time we think we understand what it’s about, Hamilton changes direction, leading down another twisting, philosophical exploration of the pressure of potential that culminates in the celebration of that very theme. It’s incredibly subversive, probably one of the most potent examples of such, as Hamilton seemingly takes us on all these different and shallowly unrelated tangents that make us think Forget Me Not is one thing, when it’s in fact another, that it’s an introduction to herself and her musical comedy style but instead builds towards this empowering thematic anticlimax, which is as satisfying as it is unexpected – completely. Every part, joke, bit is built up so carefully and imperceptibly that details that we think are unimportant really do come back in force as Hamilton distracts us from her foreshadowing and uses her raps and off-hand performance style to stop us from catching on until she wants us to.
This is a proper showcase, a proper musical performance and Hamilton’s stand-up is only one consideration due to the technical and creative immersion that occurs. Hamilton’s technical design works to create a state against which Hamilton performs her raps, influencing the atmosphere and transporting us to a concert setting, a significant p contrast to Hamilton’s stand-up, that she then uses to expand on an idea or even as a self-contained tangent, all the while showcasing her abilities as a comic, lyricist and musician. Despite her clear enunciation, a constant regardless of the speed of the rap which means that we never lose sight of the joke that she’s making, Hamilton is occasionally forced to fight against her backing track due to a lack of balance between the audio and her microphone, an easily fixed technical issue that becomes a little oppressive due to the size of the venue. Regardless, the use of tech in this way is quite fun to see, especially in a stand – up show. It’s a bit of dazzle, difference and showbiz that speaks to a larger consciousness of the performative aspect of the genre. Kudos should be given to Hamilton to care enough to think of these things, and it’s this attention to detail that helps her command the room at any given point and aids in our overall enjoyment of the hour.
“Hamilton exceeds our expectations a hundredfold.”
Hamilton is an engaging and energetic performer to the point where she achieves a kind of call and response relationship with the audience and her rhetorical questions are not always rhetorical. It’s most likely due to her open, informal and friendly approach to tone that she takes during her stand-up segments, again contrasting to the more regimented and formal rap performances that don’t allow for much deviation. There’s a kind of relaxed confidence to her performance that gives her command over the room, a kind of enigmatic energy that has us completely locked into the show. Her material – both stand-up and rap – is unapologetically incisive, clever, cutting and funny to an almost ridiculous extent and there are moments and jokes that we hope against hope would qualify for their own rap just to hear Hamilton expand on the bit and run it full tilt. Her lightning-fast delivery only adds to the more performative aspects of this show, allowing us to fully enjoy the whip-smart nature of her lyrics and comedy. There are clear progressions to her jokes, and even though they clearly meld together and don’t just come from the ether, she’s the kind of comic that doesn’t spell everything out for us until the last the moment.
It is highly unlikely that either Hamilton or Forget Me Not will be forgotten anytime soon. Such an imaginative interpretation and use of the stand-up and musical comedy art forms, creating soemthing wholly unique to Hamilton, for there is truly no other hour or performer like this.
By Katerina Partolina Schwartz
Photo credit: Rebecca Need-Menear
Pepper & Salt 
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