Miss Saigon.

Miss Saigon.
Music: Claude-Michel Schonberg. Lyrics: Richard Maltby Jr & Alain Boublil. Additional Material: Richard Maltby Jr. Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University Third Year Musical Theatre Students. Director: Michelle Miall. Musical Director: Matthew Samer. Choreography: Helena Moore. Conservatorium Theatre, South Bank, Brisbane. 9-17 August, 2013.

This was a terrific production of Miss Saigon – emotional, spectacular and thrilling. With a cast of 32, and an orchestra of 19, director Michelle Miall time-after-time created memorable theatrical images.

Schonberg, Boublil and Maltby’s sung-through musical, based on Madam Butterfly and set in Vietnam and Bangkok during the Vietnam War, has never failed to move an audience with its powerful and emotive music and this production was no exception.

Vanessa Krummenacher was excellent in the role of Vietnamese waif Kim. A fierce sing, she displayed the vulnerability and steely determination of the character and was especially pleasing in the tender wedding sequence, “Sun and Moon” and the sensuous “Last Night of the World.” Her co-star Chris White as American G.I. Chris was a strong physical presence and handled his vocals well, particularly the showy “Why, God Why?” Marybeth Harvey’s Ellen had a mix of timidity and determination which worked nicely for the character, and her second act “Now That I’ve Seen Her” solo was a heart-breaker. Rex J. Abblett as The Engineer made the most of his moments in the spotlight and with “The American Dream,” assisted by the full company in red, white and blue costumes, made it a splashy finale.

Jason Glenwright’s lighting plot, Matthew Samer’s musical direction, and Helena Moore’s choreography were all top-flight additions to the production, as was the “Morning of the Dragon” scene with its red banners and ribbons, “Bui Doi,” and the second act evacuation scene with the helicopter effect.

A five star production, everyone involved deserves multiple rounds of applause. Note: The principals have been triple and double cast so different performers play the roles on alternate performances.

Peter Pinne    

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