Miss Saigon At Crucible Theatre, Sheffield Review

Reviewed by Joy Wright

It was a captivating opening night at Sheffield Theatres on 13th July, audiences were transported to the turbulent world of Vietnam with the highly anticipated production of Miss Saigon. Directed by the outstanding team at The Crucible Theatre this is a reimaging of a show in its 34th year on stage. Robert Hastie and Anthony Lau have created a superb show featuring a stellar cast. This rendition of an iconic musical left an indelible mark on the hearts of the audience. With a soulful score and stunning set design, Miss Saigon delivered a truly unforgettable theatrical experience.

Miss Saigon, penned by Claude-Michel Schönberg and Alain Boublil, with lyrics by Richard Maltby Jr. and Boublil, is a beloved musical that premiered in London’s West End in 1989. Inspired by Puccini’s opera Madame Butterfly, the production is a love story, woven with loss, and sacrifice against the backdrop of the Vietnam War. Since its debut, Miss Saigon has captivated audiences worldwide, earning critical acclaim and numerous accolades.

Jessica Lee’s portrayal of Kim, the resilient and courageous Vietnamese bar girl,is wonderful. Lee showcased a remarkable vocal range, capturing the innocence and strength of her character. Her performance was vulnerable and emotionally charged, leaving the audience spellbound during heart-wrenching numbers such as “I’d Give My Life for You.”
Joanna Ampil, in her role as The Engineer, commanded the stage with her spectacular charisma . Ampil delivered a masterful performance, balancing the character’s dark humor and underlying desperation. Her rendition of “The American Dream” was a musical highlight, captivating the audience with her powerful vocals.
These two actors delivered performances brimming with depth and nuance, which kept audiences enraptured from beginning to end.

Under the baton of Chris Poon, the orchestra breathed life into the beautiful score of Miss Saigon and created a seamless integration of the music and performances, heightening the emotional impact of every scene. The orchestra’s rendition of the score, from haunting melodies to soaring anthems, intensified the production’s dramatic moments.
The use of movable structure in the set design and stylised projections created a dynamic backdrop transitioned the audience unobtrusively between various locations, from seedy bars to bustling streets. The attention to detail, especially the spectacular depiction of a helicopter landing, added the production value which will further catapult this production through its predictably successful run.

The lighting design by Jessica Hung Han Yun complemented the set design, enhancing the mood and atmosphere of each scene, striking discord in places or demonstrating change. From the soft glow of a romantic encounter to the starkness of conflict, the lighting captured the emotional depth of the story. The strategic use of shadows and spotlights depict the characters’ internal struggles, adding depth to their performances.

The production of Miss Saigon at Sheffield Theatres delivered a theatrical experience that brought the vibrant and harrowing world of Vietnam to the stage, immersing the audience in the story’s heart-wrenching realities. This production of Miss Saigon is a testament to the enduring power of musical theatre, leaving audiences moved, inspired, and drove the entire audience to their feet in a unanimous standing ovation.

If you miss this production you’ll have missed a treat. Sheffield is well reputed for a base of excellent theatre outside London and the West End and productions like this are the reasons why.

It’s a long show with a run time of 2 hours and 45 minutes including the interval and every minute kept the audience engaged and with almost every seat filled the night is likely to be an indicator of the run being a phenomenal success.

From 13th July to 19th August tickets are on sale at https://www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk/events/miss-saigon/dates with a range of evening performances and matinees, with captions and other accessibility adaptations too. You could also call the box office on 0114 249 6000 . Tickets are already limited at some performances, so buy them whilst you can.

Rating: 5/5