Words fall short when trying to capture just how extraordinary Miss Saigon is at Mayflower Theatre, but I’ll try and do it justice in the next 400 words or so.
As soon as the lights dim, the audience is transported to Vietnam in 1975, mere days before the American evacuation. Set in Saigon, the city is on the brink of collapse. It is relentless, noisy and chaotic.
At the centre of the drama is Kim, a 17-year-old who has fled her village in the last few days of the Vietnam War. She is forced to work in a bar run by The Engineer, who is determined to get to the USA by whatever means necessary. She meets and meets and falls in love with an American GI named Chris but they are torn apart by the fall of Saigon.
Julianne Pundan’s portrayal of Kim was nothing short of phenomenal. At only 18 years old, this marks her professional debut, yet you’d never know it. Having graduated from The BRIT School and Sylvia Young Theatre School, her vocal talent is truly reflective of her impressive CV. She commanded the stage throughout and was, without a doubt, the standout performer of the evening.
Read more
-
Dear England at Mayflower Theatre is more about football - it is a theatrical triumph
-
Iconic 1990s sitcom Friends is brought to life at Mayflower Theatre
-
'Lost Atoms delivers an unforgettable performance brimming with emotional depth'
-
The chilling West End hit starring Stacey Dooley and Kevin Clifton is in Hampshire
-
MAMMA MIA! at Mayflower Theatre is an ABBA extravaganza from start to finish
The loudest applause of the night was reserved for Seann Miley Moore as The Engineer, they were equally as manipulative as they were sleazy. The energetic and surreal performance of The American Dream was a real showstopper.
This production of Miss Saigon delivers West End quality to Southampton. The attention to detail in costumes, sound and lighting is mesmerising, vividly recreating this pivotal moment in history. A major highlight was The Morning Of The Dragon, which powerfully introduces the new regime, the ensemble and orchestra as powerful as each other.
The evacuation sequence from Saigon also stood out as a cinematic highlight, complete with immersive sound, lighting, and the unforgettable sight of the helicopter. It was truly spectacular.
The show is more a sprint than a marathon; the rapid pace of the narrative keeps you gripped, making for a thrilling, edge-of-your-seat experience for much of the performance.
Of course, it is based on the tragic opera Madame Butterfly, so by the end of it we were all feeling a little worse for wear emotionally. It is gut wrenching and heart breaking, well deserving of the standing ovation and applause.
Miss Saigon is at Mayflower Theatre until February 7. Tickets can be purchased online at mayflower.org.uk or by calling 02380 711811.
Share