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 it had to be, I mean the Vietnam war was no bunch 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 to America, where unknown to Kim, his wife is living there. Chris and his wife go to Vietnam and Kim decides that she cannot share him and that the relationship will no doubt end. The conclusion of Miss Siagon will have your heart strings going as Kim shoots herself after Chris leaves for America with her son.
I was a little worried at the beginning of Miss Saigon that it wouldn't be my thing. This was because when we were introduced to Dreamland there was a great mass of shouting and I was a little set back and distressed. However, the tone soon eased and settled into the emotional, deep, though provoking story of Kim and Chris's love.
One of the most memorable moments for me was when the communist guards came in and there was a huge statue of Hochimin in gold. This scenes illustrated what can be achieved on stage in terms of special effects and visual brilliance. The music and singing performances were deep, powerful and strong, although not memorable enough that I was humming or singing any of them after the performance. Compared to other musicals, i.e. Les Miserables and Phantom of the Opera, Miss Saigon's greatest achievement was the narrative and sets rather than the musical content. This was because the songs were related more to the dialogue than for musical enjoyment.
The acting was very, very good especially the performance of Kym Hoy as Kim and her endearing young son. The actors created a buzz of energy and I really felt drawn into the story because of it.
What stuck in my mind more than anything in Miss Siagon was the sets, they were bold and exciting. At points it was exhilarating and mind blowing, especially in the scene when the Army helicopter arrives from the ceiling.
Miss Saigon was compulsive viewing, most enjoyable and I would certainly see it again.
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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
FriendlyLynn 21.07.2006 (21.07.2006)
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