HomeThe Theatre SphereMiss Saigon @ The Arts Centre Gold Coast | Theatre Review

Miss Saigon @ The Arts Centre Gold Coast | Theatre Review

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Following on from their production of Jesus Christ Superstar in 2014, The Arts Centre Gold Coast have managed to surpass their previous accomplishments with a spectacular in-house production of Claude-Michel Schönberg and Alain Boublil’s 1989 stage musical Miss Saigon. Although this classic may not be as easily recognisable as Schönberg and Boublil’s renown 1980 production of Les Misérables which is currently touring across Australia at the moment, it remains a multi-award winning piece which in my opinion is a must-watch production for any fan of theatre.

Taking place in the 1970’s before and after the fall of Saigon in 1975, Miss Saigon is a romantic drama detailing the ill-fated relationship between US Marine Chris Scott and a young lady by the name of Kim, who met him on her first day working at a bar/brothel frequented by Marines. While the pair quickly fall in love, the turmoil that follows ultimately forces them to go their separate ways. With Chris now home in America and unaware of Kim’s state, Kim is left battling her own demons and attempting to survive… although still holding the same love for a man who left her life three years earlier.

Miss Saigon is an emotionally charged tale which does come with the risk of leaving some members of the audience with tears in their eyes. While there are a number of upbeat and entertaining numbers (Mostly on behalf of The Engineer), including the memorable opening song ‘The Heat is On in Saigon’, these moments of fun and entertainment are counteracted by the many softer and serious songs which attempt to convey each character’s key moments of happiness, concern or anguish at the time. For example, a three-part song titled “Kim’s Nightmare” allows the audience to accurately see each worry and emotion felt by Kim and Chris as the events describing them being separated unfold, while the song Bui – Doi is used to express the US Marine’s worry about the Amerasian children they were forced to leave behind in Vietnam. Perhaps the most notable number however is the song ‘Sun and Moon’ (Used on multiple occasions), which serves as Miss Saigon’s beautiful and memorable ‘romance song’. 

While I will avoid going into too much detail given the heavy risk of spoilers, the acting itself is just as important to portraying each characters emotions, with the principal cast and ensemble members pulling their roles off perfectly. Although it is hard not to consider Adrian Li Donni (The Engineer) the star of Miss Saigon due to his character’s role as a larrikin and the show’s primary source of laugh out loud entertainment, Vivien Emsworth (Kim), Chris White (Chris) and Matt Ward (John) all stand out as both strong singers and performers. The other principal cast members: Tanele Storm Graham (Ellen), Adam Jon (Thuy), Alison McKenzie (Gigi), child performers Ethan Yin Lan and Jai Godbold (Tam) and the entire ensemble also deserve commendation for what was a fantastic combination of singing, dancing and acting.

Designed by Josh McIntosh, the primary set for Miss Saigon was adequately designed, providing viewers with the inclination that they were indeed looking into the streets of Saigon. Through a mixture of props, moving parts of the set and a convenient curtain or two, the scenery could be adapted to suit the scene. Although not particularly spectacular, the set itself did its job well. While this seemed to just be opening night complications, it must be noted there was an issue with some of the lights and lanterns blinking on-and-off or otherwise not turning on during select songs. But aside from that, everything went smoothly.

But perhaps more notable than the set design itself was the strong use of digital video to recreate back drops and scenes which may not have otherwise been possible. Although I will not describe this moment for the sake of spoilers, there was a particular scene in Act 2 where the combination of simple props, a digital background and the creative use of lighting managed to accurately recreate a key event, giving a small sense you were legitimately watching the event take place rather than watching a group of actors and actresses pretending to do it.

With music direction by David Piper (Mary Poppins, Wicked, Annie) and performed by an instrumental team of 18, credit must be given to the music team for their fantastic orchestral work throughout the entire show. Not only were there the usual assortment of instruments you would find in almost every stage musical, but there were also a few distinct Vietnamese instruments, providing that extra bit of authenticity to the songs and world being constructed. Costumes, designed by Jean Marashlian and her team are were reflective of the times and settings they were used in. More than a little commendation also belongs to Director Brad Rush and Assistant Director / Choreographer Ellen Simpson, for their efforts and presumably many sleepless nights to competently present this approximately two and a half hour classic on-stage.

With Miss Saigon, The Arts Centre Gold Coast have shown they can put on a stage musical which can rival those that travel across Australia, and in a way, it is a shame that it will only be held at the venue until Saturday June 20. While the award-winning musical is obviously strong in the first place, the mostly Queensland-based cast represent their character roles with enthusiasm and skill, complemented by a strong musical backing and solid set design. Given the time between Jesus Christ Superstar and Miss Saigon however, it is a shame that Gold Coaster’s and those in surrounding regions may have to wait another year until the next in-house stage musical is presented at the venue.

Age Suitability

While Miss Saigon wouldn’t be a musical I would consider appropriate for younger audiences given its moderate use of sexually suggestive dress and movements, occasional use of explicit language and more mature themes; it is something I would consider being appropriate and understandable by those in their teens and above.

Acknowledgements

A complementary ticket to see Miss Saigon on Opening Night was provided by The Arts Centre Gold Coast. However, I also saw Miss Saigon today (Sunday 14 June) with my guest – with both tickets paid out of my own pocket.

Ticket Purchases

There is still seating to see Miss Saigon at The Arts Centre Gold Coast for its remaining four shows from Thursday June 18 – Saturday June 20 2015. Tickets are priced between $32.00 and $57.00, and can be purchased through The Arts Centre Gold Coast.

Sam
Sam
Founder of The Otaku's Study. I have been exploring this labyrinth of fandom these last fifteen years, and still nowhere close to the exit yet. Probably searching for a long time to come.
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