Miss Saigon Review: A Vocally thrilling masterpiece

The Palace Theatre is currently host to yet another piece of A grade theatre – this time in the shape of the world renowned ‘Miss Saigon’ – The legend is definitely reborn.

The story follows Kim, the newly dubbed ‘Miss Saigon’ in the harrowing reality of the Vietnamese war, meeting and falling in love with Chris, A U.S soldier lost in the war and in the struggle of right and wrong. Without spoiling the whole story or those who haven’t seen this production, it can definitely go on record as the most harrowing and emotional pieces of theatre I’ve ever seen!

First off, the set and choreography of it was sensational. The constant movement and the envelopment of the cast with in it was amazing to watch, not a beat was missed and the speed of everything was perfect down to the second. A really captivating delivery of world class theatre.

Now, normally I am not a massive fan of musicals that are only singing, with very limited dialogue, and having never seen Miss Saigon, I was unaware this is how the show was delivered but I must say for every. Single. Cast. Member. That this is a vocal phenomenon, the voices, the sounds, the HARMONIES. Everything was nothing short of perfect and I couldn’t believe the talent in front of me.

Now individuals, and I can’t not start with what has to be one of my new favourite characters in musical theatre – The Engineer. Seann Miley Moore, just wow. This is clearly one of the most technically difficult parts you could every play. You can be the comic relief but, in a story, so emotional and fragile, it can’t be too overplayed, but Moore nailed this within an inch of it’s life! Comedic depth, with a sleazy side and a very dangerous side, showing he can do what it takes to survive. This matched with caring and subtleness for Kim and then rounded off with one of the most raucous and exceptionally entertaining numbers in ‘The American Dream’ – What a player, What a performer. The perfect Engineer.

Next up, Kim – played by Julianne Pundan. What a voice. This production is sang 98% of the time, and Pundan had the voice of all voices. So much power and poise in everything she delivered. There was a brilliant vulnerability that was dominant in Pundan’s performance and it is what is needed, however there was just something special about the way Pundan developed throughout – right up until her final moment, and even the protection of her child put a weight in my chest and made me feel everything. Never have I seen so much emotion in a number as I did in ‘I’d Give My Life For You’. Bravo.

Chris is a very interesting role, and Jack Kane is the perfect man for it. A man confused at the war he finds himself in and finding love and a solitude in Kim, changing his entire life and not being able to handle with the decisions made – every hit in emotion, every thought was clear from Kane and he was sublime to watch. Now, his actual storyline may bring up some moral objections from some people and not have them on his side but for me – you could see the torment and the pain Chris went through and it was actually one of the most honest and thoughtful performances I’ve seen – a really wonderful showing.

This is such an emotionally driven piece of theatre and I would say one of the most culturally important things I’ve ever seen, and I think it is a piece everyone should see at least once – for moth the value of performance but also from the historical standpoint it offers. This is an absolute world beater, and I implore everyone to buy tickets. Miss Saigon is in town until August 4^th and tickets are still available at https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/miss-saigon/palace-theatre-manchester/