The Bristol Hippodrome is currently home to Cameron Mackintosh's new production of the hit musical Miss. Saigon. Being a big fan of this genre, my daughter and I really wanted to see it, so I bought the tickets through Ticketmaster - £35 for mine, £30 for hers - and we saw it last night, fourth ... Read review
The highlights version of the two-disc set of Miss Saigon's 1989 London cast gives you 58 ... more
minutes (out of the original 107) and most of the best moments of the score. Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schönberg's setting of Madame Butterfly in the Vietnam War includes beautiful and passionate music, most notably the bawdy opener "The Heat Is on in Saigon," "Why God Why," the romantic duet "The Last Night of the World," the female duet "I Still Believe," the male chorus number "Bui-Doi," and the Engineer's mocking "The American Dream." Time constraints, though, forced the elimination of "The Movie in My Mind," the wedding ceremony ("Dju Vui Vai"), and the revealing "Now That I've Seen Her," as well as much of the music that carries the plot forward. Casual listeners, therefore, might be satisfied with these highlights, while those who want to relive the show will need the complete recording. The booklet includes production photos and full lyrics. --David Horiuchi
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Miss Saigon rather surprisingly turns out to be a tour de force for its star, Jonathan ... more
Pryce. In the midst of Boubil and Schönberg's "girl-meets-boy-with confused-emotions-in-Vietnam" rewrite of Puccini's Madama Butterfly, Pryce's Engineer's bright tenor provides a nasty yet humanely pragmatical focal point for more logically tuned minds. Daring to tackle the controversial theme of doomed lovers during the misguided American war efforts, Miss Saigon was a thematic and stylistic breakthrough of the 1980s, just like Jesus Christ Superstar had been in the previous decade. But the lyricist, Richard Maltby, previously a young man with alleged off-off-Broadway street cred, could only do so much with Boubil's French original platitudes--it is Schönberg's music paired with producer Cameron Macintosh's storyboard vision that secured the deserved success of Miss Saigon. On this complete recording, an orchestra on form shows off William D. Brohn's skilful orchestrations, and a fine ensemble supports Lea Salonga's tender yet determined Kim. And in the male camp, apart from the prancing Pryce, Peter Polycarpou (John) is crystal clear as the struggling American marine soldier, curbing all tendencies to over-emotionality. --Yngvil V.G.
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Advantages: An excellent show, high quality throughout Disadvantages: No helicopter!
The Bristol Hippodrome is currently home to Cameron Mackintosh's new production of the hit musical Miss. Saigon. Being a big fan of this genre, my daughter and I really wanted to see it, so I bought the tickets through Ticketmaster - £35 for mine, £30 for hers - and we saw it last night, fourth row of the stalls.
Miss. Saigon is quite a 'heavy' musical, not one I would recommend for young kids (swearing, murder, suicide, skimpy costumes) ... ...means there is no spoken dialogue, everything is conveyed through song. I know some people don't like this. I don't think my husband would have enjoyed it much.
But my daughter and I loved it. We have the CD and already knew the songs and the gist of the story, although I found the plot much clearer watching it come to life on stage.
STORY
The musical is set in the 1970s Vietnam war, beginning in Saigon ... more
The Bristol Hippodrome is currently home to Cameron Mackintosh's new production of the hit musical Miss. Saigon. Being a big fan of this genre, my daughter and I really wanted to see it, so I bought the tickets through Ticketmaster - £35 for mine, £30 for hers - and we saw it last night, fourth row of the stalls.
Miss. Saigon is quite a 'heavy' musical, not one I would recommend for young kids (swearing, murder, suicide, skimpy costumes) or for casual fans. It is a "through-composed" musical, which means there is no spoken dialogue, everything is conveyed through song. I know some people don't like this. I don't think my husband would have enjoyed it much.
But my daughter and I loved it. We have the CD and already knew the songs and the gist of the story, although I found the plot much clearer watching it come to life on stage.
STORY
The musical is set in the 1970s Vietnam war, beginning in Saigon April 1975, just before the American forces leave the country. We return to the same city - now renamed Ho Chi Minh City - three years later to pick up on the story and the first act ends there. The second act begins with a brief number set in the USA in 1978, then most of the action takes place in Bangkok in October 1978 - apart from one flashback section to 1975.
The story (based on Madame Butterfly) is basically a tragic romance. An American G.I. called Chris meets Kim, a Vietnamese prostitute and they fall in love. But the war forces them apart, only to meet again three years later, when their lives have both changed. I don't want to go into any more detail on this, in case it gives too much away. It might lessen the impact, if you already know what happens.
CAST
None of the cast were known to me before going to see this production, but you don't really need a star name - the musical itself is the star. Each cast member was outstanding and it is really quite amazing to see how talented these performers are, yet they do not get the recognition of a Michael Ball or a Ruthie Henshall.
The part of the Engineer (Kim's pimp) is a dream role for any actor and Jon Jon Briones was excellent. He combined perfectly the manipulative, money-making, selfish side of the character with the guile and charm needed to make it believable. He was great to watch, a born entertainer and received the loudest cheers at the end.
The two romantic leads were Ima Castro as Kim and Ramin Karimloo as Chris. Ima was a very sweet Kim, her innocence and love coming across very well, while Ramin was a passionate and strong Chris. They made a very good couple; it was easy to believe they had feelings for each other as the chemistry between them seemed very natural. They both had outstanding voices too, with great texture and range and their vocal skills perfectly complemented each other.
John Partridge was an engaging John - Chris's G.I. friend - radiating the confidence and authority his role demanded and a fair dollop of charisma too.
The only two characters who failed to make much of an impact on me were Thuy (Kim's fiancé from an arranged marriage) and Ellen (John's wife). Both actors did what they could with the role - Christian Rey Marbella was a proud and stoic Thuy, Lara Pulver was a strong and loyal Ellen - but I felt the characters weren't as developed as they could be.
The minor parts and ensemble were of a very high standard. The dancing and singing were excellent throughout and the big production number 'The Morning of the Dragon' was enhanced by some impressive tumbling and martial arts skills.
STAGING AND SET
Miss. Saigon is probably best known for its inclusion of a helicopter coming down onto the stage and taking off again. Rather disappointingly, this production didn't use a real helicopter but instead opted to achieve the effect by using film of a helicopter accompanied by visual and sound effects.
In every other aspect though, the staging and set were excellent. The gaudy and vulgar sets of the seedy bars were an impressive contrast to the dark grey sets of the drab streets. Light and dark, colours and grey were all used effectively. The large red flags of the military parade and the paper dragons provided good 'pointers' to the tone of the scene.
The set I was most impressed with was during the flashback sequence in the second act. The changing position of the high gates to the American Embassy in Saigon were moved around the stage, enabling the audience to feel as though they were inside then outside, emphasizing with the viewpoints of both the American military and the Vietnamese people screaming for help.
TONE
If I had to describe Miss. Saigon in one word, it would be - INTENSE. It is mainly a serious musical, always involving and an emotional journey for audience and performers alike. You quickly come to care for the characters and feel wrapped up in their lives and concerned about their fates. Expect to cry.
But it is well balanced with light-hearted interludes, especially from the Engineer. This is particularly noticeable in the second act, when you get the wonderful number 'The American Dream' before the tragic finale. Without these kinds of 'humour breaks', I feel it would be rather a harrowing experience. I was also surprised how much I felt it taught me about Vietnam, it is a very political musical and does make you think.
The American Dream was a highlight for me. Once again, Jon Jon Briones gets to take the stage and work it. He's a little guy with a huge personality and seemed to relish the chance to shine. Accompanied by the live dancers and animation by the legendary Gerald Scarfe, this is a number you will not forget for a long time after seeing it.
SONGS
The songs from Miss. Saigon seem to be less well-known than those of Les Miserables, for example (another one of Boublil and Schonberg's successes), which is a shame, as they are very good. Some of them don't have the impact on CD that they do on stage - especially The Morning of the Dragon and Bui-Doi - but this is rather due to the strength of the staging, rather than any weakness of the songs.
The Movie In My Mind and Sun and Moon are both beautiful songs in their own right, ones that are able to entice an emotional response from the CD alone. When these are realised on stage, the impact is even stronger.
OVERALL
I would definitely recommend this musical, especially if you have already listened to the CD or are a fan of Les Miserables. It was an amazing experience and one which is well worth the ticket money. My fifteen-year-old daughter wants a career in musical theatre herself and has already been in four musicals herself. She told me this morning that she rates Miss. Saigon as the best musical she has seen.
POSTSCRIPT
Just to crown a lovely evening, we got to meet some of the cast afterwards. Everyone was very friendly (especially Christine Sambeli-Marquez, Ravy Soc Alfonso and Edward Briones), but the highlight of our evening was meeting Ramin Karimloo (Chris). He was gorgeous, charming and happy to chat to us - a real gentleman. http://www.miss-saigon.com/.
...entire performance again… Miss Saigon is a remarkable musical/opera – I have never experienced a show quite like it. The passion, the drive, the energy, the simple nightmarish consequences of actions we make – this was a first for me. Normally, I am quite reserved with my emotions – I’ve seen Les Mis and managed to hold back the sniffles ‘till half way through the first act but Miss Saigon caught me unaware in the sixth song of the show and me, a ... ...This is a review of Miss Saigon when I saw it at the Palace Theatre in Manchester. The Palace Theatre itself has undergone and overhaul, both backstage and front of house and looks fantastic. The Theatre itself is easy to get to both by car, follow signs for the G-MEX and then the NCP Palace car park, and by train – Oxford Road Station is just a short walk away. Long since moved on from Manchester, it has plaeyed in Edinburgh and will be in Bristol ...
Critchyboy 10.02.2003
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Miss Saigon
...in Manchester. At the moment, Miss Saigon is showing there about 8 times a week (6 x evenings and 2 matinees). It’s been on since last November, and will continue to show until June, and I saw it for the first time last weekend. Not the first time here, you understand, but the first time ever. I’ve seen a lot of musicals in my time, and danced a handful or so, but Miss Saigon has never appeared in that list. The most I know is one song ... ...is based on Madame Chrysantheme, Miss Saigon is a love story with a difference. Kim, our lead, is the latest to be added to the sleazy Engineer’s bar-girl dancer troupe at his Dreamland club, frequented mainly by American Marines. At 17, she’s the youngest performer, and the one who feels most out of place. As an orphan who has fled her home town, however, it’s one of the few options open to her. During a mock beauty pageant to ...
zoe_page 23.04.2002
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Miss Saigon
Advantages: great musical Disadvantages: don't presume you don't like musicals until you;ve seen this one
I went to see Miss Saigon on Saturday 19th January 2002, at the palace theatre in Manchester. We had to go to the matinee because all of the evening performances were sold out. The palace theatre itself has recently undergone a development costing in excess of 300,000. There is a modern box office, different signage and front façade, new canopy, another kiosk and merchandise positions and a fully re-fitted pit bar. The surroundings looked and felt ... ...on sale just as you walk through the entrance. The bar prices were a little steeper than I’d imagined them to be charging £1.00 for a small bottle of coca-cola. We sat in the stalls, which made us fairly level with the stage and suitably seated to see the performance at its best angle. The people behind the stage and responsible for the technical side of things are as follows: Alain Boublil – Book, lyrics and original French lyrics Claude-Michel ...
darrenaspinall 22.01.2002
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Miss Saigon
Advantages: Powerfull, moving and dramatic. Disadvantages: Expensive tickets.
One word to summarise Miss Siagon? I would certainly say Intense, intense and intense. I went to the Apollo theatre in Manchetser (after paying a tear jerking amount for my ticket) with no idea of the story, form, style or critical response to the play. Thankfully for me (and my empty purse) I was actually very surprised at the brilliance of the whole affair. Yes, it was heavy and the constant operatic form did, in parts become quite tiring. But ... ...of roses. Miss Saigon is a love story set in Vietnam in 1975. Kim is a 17-year-old orphan who flees the countryside after seeing her family destroyed. Chris is an American Marine officer who visits the sordid strip club called Dreamland where Kim works. He eventually falls for the victimised Kim and they both fall in love with each other. Their relationship progress and he becomes increasingly fond of her son as they move in together. Chris returns ...
consumer5 19.06.2002
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Miss Saigon
I went to see Miss Saigon on Saturday 19th January 2002, at the palace theatre in Manchester. We had to go to the matinee because all of the evening performances were sold out. The palace theatre itself has recently undergone a development costing in excess of 300,000. There is a modern box office, different signage and front façade, new canopy, another kiosk and merchandise positions and a fully re-fitted pit bar. The surroundings looked and felt ... ...on sale just as you walk through the entrance. The bar prices were a little steeper than I’d imagined them to be charging £1.00 for a small bottle of coca-cola. We sat in the stalls, which made us fairly level with the stage and suitably seated to see the performance at its best angle. The people behind the stage and responsible for the technical side of things are as follows: Alain Boublil – Book, lyrics and original French lyrics Claude-Michel ...
darrenasprin 07.12.2002
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Miss Saigon
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Advantages: Has Disabled parking outside the theatre & good access Disadvantages: Disabled toilets not supervised for disabled users only during the interval
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![Miss Saigon [Original London Cast] -](http://picnica.ciao.com/uk/93972772.jpg "Miss Saigon [Original London Cast] -")
![Miss Saigon: Complete Symphonic Recording [SOUNDTRACK] -](http://picnica.ciao.com/uk/94153886.jpg "Miss Saigon: Complete Symphonic Recording [SOUNDTRACK] -")
