After proudly being told stories of Lea Salonga's huge success in Miss Saigon 25 or so years ago - Filipino pride and all - I had been patiently waiting for its epic return to the West End. Around a year and a half ago, it finally arrived! Since its premiere in London, I've gone to see it twice and, although I did not cry like the first time, I would happily see it again for the amazing live music experience.
Miss Saigon is set in the 1970s during the Vietnam War in Saigon, the city now called Ho Chi Minh. It follows the story of orphaned 17 year-old Kim, a Vietnamese girl who falls in love with an American GI Chris when they share a dance at a strip club known as Dreamland. This joint is run by the rather fascinating character, the Engineer. From there onwards, this emotional journey takes you through the characters' hopes, dreams, struggles, and tragedies. This show will tug on your heartstrings.
This musical captures the struggle of men, women and children in Vietnam during and even after the war. It highlights the need for refuge, the fantasy of the American Dream and the desperate hope that comes from this dream. All of the Vietnam native characters share the want for a better life for themselves, to live the movie in their minds, though this dream dissolves from Kim's character towards the end of the plot.
Looking at her story chronologically, the impression that Kim, played by Eva Noblezada, is in search for a better life can be derived from when she sings "The Movie in My Mind" alongside Gigi (originally Rachel Ann Go but now played by Natalie Mendoza), and also when she falls in love with Chris, who was played by Richard Carson in my second visit. Of course, the two sudden yet passionate lovers strive to leave for America together to live their new lives in paradise, but this is short-lived after they come across complications. From then on, skipping around three years, Kim is still hopeful for Chris' return for her but otherwise she does not think about her own wellbeing because she cares more for another - their son Tam. When introduced to this progression in plot, the audience are made aware of her selflessness that gradually grows as the show reaches its denouement.
On the other hand, the Engineer, fantastically embodied by Jon Jon Briones, is very selfish in comparison to Kim. As the director of Dreamland, he pushes the women in this risqué business onto eager customers for money. Although he is forceful, a little aggressive, and incredibly self-centred, we can't help but be humbly fond of the conniving Engineer. He ultimately only wants to be living the American Dream, a dream that for him is superficially filled with money, women and power. We can't hate him for wanting to live the high life, right? We all have a dream and we want to do a lot to achieve them; the Engineer is no exception, and this is why we are rather sympathetic towards him. Plus he is the humour within the show when everything else is so tragic. To me, he is the central example of a character that longs for better days, and it is because of this that, for me personally, he is the main character of Miss Saigon.
Despite my opinion on this, there are many characters who's stories and contribution are worth noting, such as Gigi's want for escape and John's care for 'bui doi' or children of war, a song passionately sang by Hugh Maynard. All of these interesting aspects offered to us about war are all magnificently exploited within the lyrics of the songs as well as the music itself. The orchestra sounded absolutely amazing, the musical score perfect in capturing each character's emotion and the scenes' overall atmosphere. Unquestionably, the performers' quality of vocals did not disappoint and perfectly complimented the orchestra, especially Noblezada's performance as Kim during the song "Room 317" where you could hear the agony, anger and desperation in her singing.
And without a doubt, the musical would not be as spectacular without the extravagant spectacle itself. The set was elaborate, with perspective taken into account for the dark, dirty looking scenery, contrasting to the backdrop that projected the vibrant setting and rising sun of Saigon, which itself is symbolic for a new day, a new start, hope, which may never come...
And that helicopter though. Dayuummmm.
Such an amazing tragedy and an overall mesmerising show. Its last flight in the West End at the Prince Edward Theatre is February 27th 2016. See it before it takes off for Broadway!
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