Miss Saigon

Life is anything but musical. We go through the hustle and bustle of daily life week in and week out with little time to relax and when we do relax, we go for the modern relaxation methods that surround us like television, computers and video games. Before all this modern technology took over our weekends, there were the real entertainment practices like theatre and live music. Luckily for us, these forms of entertainment exist and are still hugely popular all around the world. Musicals are the means of entertainment and relaxation for people from all walks of life. The mesmerizing music and joyous choreography of the stage productions are a real treat for all. Such is also the magic of the 10th longest runway show on Broadway, Miss Saigon.

Starting on Drury Lane in London at the Theatre Royal, Miss Saigon opened in September 1989 and enjoyed significant success during its whopping 4,264 performances on the West End. The musical was also taken to Broadway in April 1991 and completed another amazing 4,092 performances there.

The music for this masterpiece was composed by Claude-Michel Schonberg while the intricate lyrics were weaved by Alain Boublil and Richard Maltby Jr. The story and composition are based on the popular Italian Opera 'Madame Butterfly'. The writers and composer have brought the original story to life in such a way that the show is a beautiful showcase of delicate twists and harmonious melodies. Actors who starred in the original production include the British Legend Jonathan Price and the inimitable Lea Solonga. This musical made them legends in their own rights and their timeless acting was what made the musical what it is today.

The story of Miss Saigon is set in the times of the Vietnam War. It is the story of Kim, a young orphaned girl who is forced to work at a bar run by The Engineer. The story progresses when a bunch of American soldiers who are meant to leave Vietnam soon arrive in the bar and the hero of the story, Chris, is introduced to Kim. Both then fall in love and Chris and Kim confess their love to each other through song, providing some great romantic songs and choreography for the viewers. Chris ends up promising to get Kim out of the place through his connections with the embassy. Chris subsequently tries to strike a deal with The Engineer to sell off the young girl but The Engineer has his own greedy wants in sight and disagrees. There is later more action and excitement when Thuy, a cousin of Kim, arrives and claims she had been promised to him as a child. The following commotion and turbulence is expressed craftily through music and lyrics by the song's creators. The story continues with Thuy escaping and Chris and Kim getting married.

One of the most exciting and popular scenes of the play is next when Chris tries to go inside the American Embassy and get Kim out but the gates are shut and Kim is left outside where she has to watch Chris being forcefully pushed into a helicopter and flown away. The music and touching lyrics at this moment will definitely be the cause of some waterworks in the theatre. The story then cuts to three years later when Chris is sleeping with his new wife Kate in America and wakes up screaming because he had a dream about Kim. The story then cuts back to Vietnam where Kim is shown to have a young son whose father is Chris. Meanwhile, Chris decides to go and look for Kim and arrives in Bangkok while the Engineer contacts Kim to tell her that he will help her find Chris who has arrived in Bangkok. The anguish and happiness of Kim and Chris when they finally meet but have to decide between their child and Chris's new wife is beautifully converted into rhythms and melodies, while the truly heart rendering lyrics really captivate the viewers. The ending is a shocker so that is something you will have to see for yourself.

After touring 6 main venues all over Great Britain, the musical has now been adopted by Cameron Mackintosh for display on smaller stages and more venues. The production is currently touring all over the world with a new, wisely chosen cast and some amazing high tech methods used to add to the overall experience. Get your Miss Saigon Tickets from us today and you can also enjoy this legendary musical somewhere near you soon.