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Last Tuesday, I had the privilege of attending the Miss Saigon gala premiere in Singapore, and what a memorable experience it was. I missed out on watching Miss Saigon when it first premiered in Singapore 23 years ago in 2001 and I had always wondered if it was a mistake. The show certainly did not disappoint and I can understand why it is one of the longest running musicals around.
As a quick summary, Miss Saigon is about the love story between a Vietnamese woman and an American soldier, set against the backdrop of the Vietnam War. The musical explores the impact of the war on the main characters, and what those left behind have to endure, and what they have to sacrifice for a perceived better future.
The pacing of the musical was swift, with something always happening on stage – be it a dramatic scene, a high-energy dance number, or a poignant moment of introspection. The grand sets were a feast for the eyes, transporting the audience to war-torn Vietnam in the 1970s. I did wonder how the heck they managed to fit a humongous helicopter onto the stage, and for a moment worried that it was going to fly into the audience!
The dramatic scenes were plentiful, with the soldiers’ scene and the bui doi scene, children left behind by American soldiers during the Vietnam War, being some of the examples.
The acting in Miss Saigon was laudable, with the entire cast delivering powerful performances that brought depth and nuance to their characters. And this is not just limited to the main characters. The scene that left the deepest impression on me was the chaotic depiction of the desperate Vietnamese left behind as the helicopter ascended and fled to the USA.
The anguish, despair, and desperation etched on the faces of the actors as they clung to the locked gates of the US embassy, realising that hope had utterly vanished and that they were indeed going to be left behind, was absolutely gut-wrenching.
It is not all heavy-going though, there was some comic relief provided by the “Engineer”, a Vietnamese pimp and owner of the Dreamland bar, where the initial story takes place. Do not dismiss him as merely a “baddie” based on first impressions though. He is a complex character with a rich backstory and motivations that add to the depth of the story.
The depth of the storyline is in fact something I enjoyed about Miss Saigon. The characters’ motivations, desires, and flaws are expertly crafted, making them relatable yet not cliched and predictable. Despite having googled the storyline before I attended the premiere, I was still kept engaged by various turns of events.
The ending completely left me floored. I had not expected to be so emotionally invested in the show and I must confess to having shed a couple of tears. Perhaps it was just as well I watched this after becoming a mother. I don’t think I could have truly appreciated the significance of a mother’s sacrifice, and the desire for a better life for her child at all cost, otherwise.
If I have any criticisms of Miss Saigon, it’s that there might have been too much airtime given to the Engineer, taking away from the central love story. Additionally, the ending felt abrupt. I would have preferred if there could have been more exploration of Kim’s inner turmoil before she made her fateful decision, or Chris for that matter when he decided to stick with his wife.
I mean, a girl doesn’t always have to make the ultimate sacrifice, does she? But perhaps this is exactly why the musical has been written this way, for maximum impact.
I also felt that the music was not the strong point of Miss Saigon. There were no catchy tunes that I could remember or hum along, as was the case with Les Miserables and Phantom of the Opera.
Overall, Miss Saigon is a must-watch for its powerful storytelling and emotional impact. Be prepared with tissues!
Miss Saigon will be playing at Sands Theatre, Marina Bay Sands from 20 August till 29 September 2024. Tickets are available on the Klook website.
*Thank you Base Entertainment for the tickets!
