Cameron Mackintosh’s highly acclaimed musical, Miss Saigon, returns to the Australian theatre scene. This new production assembled a hugely diverse and powerful cast of forty-two, fourteen of which have Filipino heritage including the two Tams. This proves that the brilliance of Filipino talents does not go unnoticed. They are Seann Miley Moore (Engineer), Abigail Adriano (Kim), Lawrence Mossman (Thuy), Kimberley Hodgson (Gigi), Winchester Lopez (Dance Supervisor/Swing), Annie-Lenore Hanman (Assistant Dance Captain/Swing), Trevor Santos (Swing), Kara Sims (Ensemble), Natasha Dumlao (Ensemble), Celine Cleveland (Ensemble), Gelina Enriquez (Ensemble), Robbie Mejica (Ensemble), Chloe Tu (Tam) and Archer Wang (Tam).
It is currently being staged at the iconic and newly-refurbished Sydney Opera House which is celebrating its 50th anniversary. Its spectacular revival is being presented by Opera Australia.
The original production which premiered in London’s West End catapulted its lead Lea Salonga to international stardom which subsequently opened the doors for Asian artists to this maligned musical. Her role in Miss Saigon earned her five major theatre awards – Tony, Olivier, Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle and Theatre World.
It has been staged in Australia twice, initially in 1995 premiere at the Capitol Theatre Sydney starring the prolific West End actor Joanna Ampil as Kim whose versatility also led her to become the first female Engineer at the Sheffield Theatres in the UK this year. Another production was in 2007-2008 Australian Tour featuring the US import Laurie Cadevida who won the award for Best Female Actor in a Musical at the 2007 Helpmann Awards.
Set towards the end of the Vietnam war, this musical by Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schönberg is a tragic love story of Chris played by Nigel Huckle, a US marine and Kim played by Abigail Adriano, a 17-year-old Vietnamese orphan who is forced to work for The Engineer played by Seann Miley Moore, a hustling brothel owner. They get separated when the US forces pull out of the country. Kim is left in Vietnam and Chris is distraught. Kim bears a son as a fruit of their love whom Chris is unaware to even exist. Ultimately, Kim makes a sacrifice for her son to have a much better life in America.
The musical was based on Giacomo Puccini’s 1904 opera, Madama Butterfly. It was inspired by a photograph that Schönberg came across from 1975. It shows a tearful young girl at Saigon airport as she leaves her Vietnamese mother to be with her ex-GI American father.
Miss Saigon is one of the most captivating theatrical experiences of today’s age which was seen by 38 million people worldwide. It features the hits including “The Heat is On in Saigon”, “The Movie in My Mind”, “Sun and Moon”, “The Last Night of the World”, “The Morning of the Dragon”, “I Still Believe”, “Bui Doi” and “The American Dream”.
The complexities of the Vietnam war in the musical’s plot are regrettably likened to the sectarian and international conflicts that tear families, homes as well as the future of innocent children of Syria, Yemen, Ukraine, Afghanistan and Myanmar with the captivity or massacre of the Rohingya.
On its opening night on the 25th of August 2023, 19-year-old Adriano captured the innocence and strength of the heart-wrenching role of Kim in such setting. Her soaring angelic vocals and profound emotions in her character performance were compelling and exceptional. Huckle’s vocal mastery was equally impressive. A soldier’s torment of losing Kim in the Fall of Saigon was a tear jerker. On the other hand, Moore’s brilliant stage presence, queer showmanship and flamboyant portrayal of the Engineer palatably balanced the forlornness of this tragedy musical. Such unique reinvention of character was invigorating and a show stopper that one would wish for more.
Kerrie Anne Greenland played the sympathetic Ellen with ease, the American wife of Chris, while singing the new song “Maybe” that replaced “Now That I’ve Seen Her”. Nick Afoa as John, Chris’ friend was powerfully reflective as he led the male ensemble with Bui Doi. Such rendition called for compassion for children who are the real victims of any unrest or war. The composite character Thuy, Kim’s cousin to whom she is betrothed to was played by Laurence Mossman. He also delivered this deeply pained antagonist with much fervour. Kimberley Hodgson gave a heartfelt performance as the cynical and desperate bar girl Gigi. Bryce Li as Tam was simply adorable. Each character was certainly valuable to complete the brilliant cast of this musical.
The brilliant 42-person ensemble backed by 25-piece orchestra and dynamic choreography were spectacular especially in “The Morning of the Dragon” and “The American Dream”. The costumes, colour coordination and lighting were vibrant and a delight to see. Each suited well with the thrilling and captivating sounds. The huge production sets particularly the hovering helicopter, the monumental Ho Chi Minh frieze, the fire breathing dragon, the large-scale Statue of Liberty head and the rolling Cadillac were phenomenal.
The applause and long-standing ovation received by this epic musical on its triumphant return to Australia were well-deserved and earned. Miss Saigon plays at the Joan Sutherland Theatre, Sydney Opera House until 13 October, 2023 and then at Her Majesty’s Theatre, Melbourne, 29 October – 3 December, 2023, and the Festival Theatre, Adelaide from 2 January. For bookings, go to https://miss-saigon.com.au.
