A Grand Salute to Mackintosh Production (Miss Saigon)

Name: curious_tan

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Product:	Miss Saigon
Date:	07/07/06 (1556 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: The musical is one of the most technically and spectacular productions with 47 members cast

Disadvantages: Unfortunately, the UK 2005/06 ends last month in Bristol

There are so many positive reviews and documented reports about the musical – from West End to Broadway and Down Under acclaiming that Miss Saigon is one of the best productions ever shown around the world!

After reading other reviews in dooyoo (with crowns) and other on-line sites, I was inspired to write my own review considering that I was able to watch the play for 3 times: April 1997 (New York, USA), October 2000 (Manila, Philippines) and October 2005 (Belfast, Northern Ireland). With no doubt, each review has its own merit of telling us why Miss Saigon is highly recommended play to watch.

Having that, so what is the reason why that I have to give another review about the play? Firstly, I watched it in different locations and each location has different ways of doing it which is influence by the size of the venue where the play will be shown; and thus, each location gives different experience! Eventually, it affects the props, lighting, stage design, scenes/blocking, sounds, back drafts, etc. Secondly, my personal assessment after watching my countrymen who took part in the production, wherein majority of these Filipino cast are singers, artists and dancers in the Philippines which somehow a glimpse of what we can offer. And thirdly, since the last UK tour 2005/06 ended last month (June 24, 2006 in Bristol), it is timely to give a final review of the play and hopefully encourages other people to buy the beautiful CD soundtrack or DVD recordings, and finds out why it is the ‘talk of the town’ for more than 15 years!

The first time I watched Miss Saigon was in 1997 in New York, during my short business trip in the US. Luckily, my friend was able to buy two front row tickets. It was really a wonderful experience to watch it in Broadway and got the chance to witness the musical that made Lea Salonga an international star (she gave birth this year to a baby girl). Lea was not playing Kim when I watched it in the US, so when the Cameron Mackintosh production decided to bring it to Manila, I did not hesitate to buy two balcony tickets for me and for my Aunt in the second week of the run just to find why Lea got two international awards! Having the opportunity to travel, I decided to watch again the play in Northern Ireland late last year as part of UK Tour 2005/06. Watching the musical for the 3rd time is making an affirmation that I am really proud to be a Filipino. Watching our local talents (in lead roles) at the Grand Opera House of Belfast (Northern Ireland) was awesome. I was only the Filipino who watched it on that night! Truly indeed Pinoys (Filipinos) are talented people with international caliber in the music scene.

Overall, I liked the production held in the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) compare it in New York and in Belfast, except that a real/life-size helicopter was used in Broadway! I did enjoy watching the play in Broadway together with the rest of the audience (majority were Japanese). The show did not fail my high expectation, except that I had an aching neck after the show caused by sitting at the front row (second row from the stage). Moreover, several scenes (Act One: Saigon) in the Manila production, especially with Kim and Chris were more romantic and dramatic due to props, lighting and back draft, including the marching choreography of the army soldiers (Act One: Ho Chi Minh City). The music from orchestra in the Grand Opera House (Belfast) was clear and loud which gave you the feeling of not only watching it but being part of the musical.

The main reason why Miss Saigon got an outstanding rating is not only the superb performance (acting and singing/voice) of the cast, but the selection of the beautiful love songs that bring the characters to life! The portrayal of the characters such as the roles for Kim, Engineer, Chris, Gigi and Ellen brought the audience into laughter and tears. You also experience the pain, passion and intimacy between Chris and Kim while they are performing musical numbers like ‘The movie in my mind’, Why God why’, ‘The last night of the world’ ‘Id give my life for you; and of course the expression of love during the duet of Kim and Chris in ‘Sun and moon’, and Ellen and Kim in ‘I still believe’.

Listed below are the relevant facts and figures about the original cast of Miss Saigon (www.miss-saigon.com) opened in London in 1989.
• The original cast of Miss Saigon has played 19,000 performances worldwide and sold 150,000 soundtrack copies within 3 days of its release
• The musical has been translated into 10 different languages in 19 countries and 138 cities
• Miss Saigon garnered 29 major theatre awards

With my personal reflection, the musical reminded me of the influence of the United States of America during the operation of the two military bases in the Philippines (Subic and Clark) until 1991 (after the eruption of Mount Pinatubo). And because of this influence, ‘Pinoys’ (Filipinos) are desperately eager to visit the US and experience the “American Dream”. Having the difficulties of securing the visa, our ‘kababayan’ (countrymen) are pushing themselves to the fullest just to leave the country. Despite the several attempts and denials, still these aspirants are well determined whatever they can do (even to the extent of spending their savings to illegal travel agents) just to get a visa approval (either for work or travel) in the UK and Europe or Canada. I don’t blame them for leaving the country to find greener pastures towards better future of their families (and future children). However, it is important to protect one’s citizenship. So, whatever opportunities that will come along the way, always think several times before doing things which might jeopardize our citizenship or affect the reputation of the country of origin as a whole. In spite of our recognition as talented people, we have also the reputation of being illegitimate residents around the world!

Nevertheless, legitimate Filipinos working hard around the world are now the living heroes (bayani) of the country. Why? Because they are the one making the Filipino currency (peso) stronger and build up the Philippine economy through remittances (dollars, dinars, euros, yens, and pounds). Mabuhay!

Summary: The love of the mother to her child is worth dying for!