Review: Michael Harrison's Miss Saigon is a Must-See
A major UK and Ireland tour of Miss Saigon opened at Newcastle Theatre Royal this October
For such a powerful musical, first performed in 1989, it’s surprising that Miss Saigon hasn’t been performed in many parts of our country. But now Boublil and Schönberg’s legendary musical is being reborn thanks to Wallsend-born West End producer Michael Harrison, and we’re excited to see his take on it.
Through stunning illustrative projections and an electric opening number we’re transported to Saigon where, in the last days of the Vietnam War, 17 year-old Kim (Julianne Pundan) is forced to work in a bar run by The Engineer (played brilliantly by Filipino-Australian singer Seann Miley Moore, who has come a long way since The X Factor days). That’s where Kim meets, and falls in love with, an American GI named Chris (Jack Kane). Through their duets The Money’s Yours and Sun and Moon we learn how their relationship blossoms. Sadly, act one sees them torn apart by the fall of Saigon and this sung-through musical follows Kim’s three-year battle of survival to find her way back to Chris, who has no idea he has a son.
It’s a heart-breaking story told through two hours and 40 minutes of music (including an interval), which is performed by a fantastic live orchestra. It would be easy for such a lengthy production to become a little static but this is non-stop. It has a huge company who put their all into epic scenes – from climbing moving stairs, to ducking and diving through fabric, and weaving amongst the set in complicated routines. That’s taken to a new level in act two when Chris hangs from a ‘helicopter’ complete with lights.
The set itself is clever. A rotating stage floor allows us to see behind closed doors in emotional scenes whilst a second-level walkway allows for members of the cast to be seen above others, often as silhouettes (dry ice and clever lighting adds intensity to these scenes). This set is unlike anything we’ve seen at Newcastle Theatre Royal before (and proves that a popular Lin-Manuel Miranda musical which recently enjoyed a UK tour could easily find a home on this iconic local stage!).
The whole production is faultless and the cast are incredible, particularly in the most emotional scenes (nothing will prepare you for the devastating ending). But two cast members deserve special recognition. Seann Miley Moore is wonderful as The Engineer, providing appropriate comedic relief to what is a very dark story. He has unmatched stage presence with the audience in the palm of his hand throughout, all leading up to his signature number The American Dream which, without wishing to spoil anything, becomes more and more camp and has the audience in fits of laughter… all before that devastating ending. In contrast, Tam, the child that Kim’s journey centres around, doesn’t have a single line but makes just as big a statement. The actors playing Tam in this production are aged between five and seven, and to be a key part of such heavy scenes in such a long show is impressive enough, but to also interact with the cast and portray emotion throughout at that age is remarkable. Of course the show ends with a standing ovation, and a special cheer for our Tam (played by Evie Wong on Gala Night).
