Jack Kane turns in a powerhouse performance as Chris in Miss Saigon at His Majesty's Theatre. Image - Courtesy of Aberdeen Performing Arts
When Miss Saigon first toured to His Majesty’s Theatre during its centenary year in May 2006, I remember thinking “wow” - for so many reasons.
The fact that HMT secured the Cameron Mackintosh production for our city’s stage felt groundbreaking. The show was faultless: the staging, set, costumes, cast, score and storytelling were simply outstanding.
It also made history, becoming the theatre’s first production to break the £1 million mark in ticket sales - an achievement everyone involved was rightly proud of.
Fast forward 20 years and His Majesty’s Theatre is now celebrating its 120th anniversary. And it feels entirely fitting that the current UK touring production of Miss Saigon should return as part of those celebrations.
Julianne Pundan held the audience rapt with attention as Kim in Miss Saigon. Image - Courtesy of Aberdeen Performing Arts
Watching it come to life on the HMT stage once again brought tears to my eyes, and it continues to wow me as an emotionally powerful and visually compelling piece of musical theatre.
For those unfamiliar with the story, Miss Saigon is set during the final days of the American occupation of Saigon in 1975. It tells an epic and tragic love story between Chris, an American GI, and Kim, a young Vietnamese woman forced to work in a seedy Saigon nightclub run by the notorious wheeler-dealer known as The Engineer.
What begins as a single night arranged by Chris’s friend John develops into a love story that will change their lives forever.
In this production every cast member plays their part with conviction, delivering strong performances throughout.
Dom-Hartley Harris as John with the company of Miss Saigon. Image - Courtesy of Aberdeen Performing Arts
Special mention must go to Julianne Pundan as Kim, Jack Kane as Chris, and Seann Miley Moore as The Engineer. Their vocals are exceptional, their performances deeply moving, and Moore in particular commands the stage with a captivating and charismatic presence that almost steals the show.
The story is told with clarity and impact through the show’s powerful musical numbers, with The Movie in My Mind, Sun and Moon, The Morning of the Dragon and The American Dream amongst my favourites, all packing an emotional punch and keeping the audience utterly enthralled.
The set design, lighting and projections in this touring production are especially impressive, vividly bringing the world of Miss Saigon to life.
The performance of The American Dream - with Seann Miley Moore as The Engineer - was a standout moment in Miss Saigon. Image - Courtesy of Aberdeen Performing Arts.
While different in scale to West End productions, it still captures the sweeping emotion and heartbreak that have made this musical endure.
If you haven’t yet secured a ticket, I urge you to do so if you can. This is a fitting and powerful return to Aberdeen’s grand old theatre and, for me, a highlight of its 120th anniversary celebrations.
Miss Saigon runs at His Majesty’s Theatre until Saturday, March7. You can find information and tickets here.
Review by Shona Byrne
Seann Miley Moore, Julianne Pundan and the company of Miss Saigon. Image - Courtesy of Aberdeen Performing Arts