The last of the 20th century's 'Big Four' musicals comes to Singapore at last!

Having flocked to musicals such as Cats, The Phantom of the Opera, Les Miserables and other large scale theatre productions which have played in Singapore, audiences here will be delighted with the news that Miss Saigon is finally set to hit the Singapore stage. This news was released to the local press on Wednesday, 11 April 2001, at a luncheon cum press conference held at the Regent Hotel.

The invitation stated that the conference was 'to announce the Singapore Season of Cameron Mackintosh's production of Miss Saigon', words succinct and successful enough in jolting the SLG team into surprised excitement at the very thought of this hugely successful Asian-themed musical playing in one of our very own theatres. For the musical theatre aficionados amongst us, the feeling was not unlike winning a lottery!

On entering the Royal Ballroom of the Regent Hotel on the day of the press conference, it was heartening to note, besides the name of the title sponsor DBS Bank, the long list of official sponsors proudly displayed by the stage – a clear sign of increasing support for bringing world class entertainment into Singapore, which will, hopefully, contribute towards the raising of performing arts standards in our country.

With a quick word of welcome, the organisers set the luncheon rolling before the conference commenced (how well they understand the needs of hungry journalists!) and no expense was spared with the gourmet food served. Antipasto with Grilled Vegetables, Shaved Parma Ham and Rock Melon set us in a most receptive mood for the speeches by IMG's James Cundall, Cameron Mackintosh's Australian representative John Robertson and leading member of the Hong Kong and Singapore cast of Miss Saigon, Leo Valdez.

James Cundall, Director of Arts and Entertainment for Asia and Australia, of IMG, the organisation responsible for the show's Asian tour, explained the five-year wait for bringing Miss Saigon to Singapore. The intention to bring the show here arose in 1996, when Les Miserables was playing to a sold-out audience at the Kallang Theatre, but a lack of available production, the Asian crisis and lack of suitable venue led to a long and patient wait, which has finally paid off. The Singapore season will premiere on 1 August 2001 at the Kallang Theatre for a strictly limited run of 79 performances.

John Robertson, representing Cameron Mackintosh, highlighted how Miss Saigon, the last of the four most successful musicals in the 1980s and 1990s, differs from its three predecessors: 'It is not a story about animals in a rubbish dump, nor is it set in the 1800s in the streets and sewers of Paris. It is a contemporary and passionate love story set against the tragic background of the Vietnam War.'

Written by Claude-Michel Schonberg and Alain Boublil, creators of Les Miserables, Miss Saigon is a passionate, tragic and gripping tale. As Robertson elaborated, '... the story covers a three-year time span from the last days of the American occupation with its dramatic helicopter evacuation from the embassy roof, the massive political re-education parades of Ho Chi Minh and finally culminating in our heroine Kim's flight from Vietnam to Bangkok where she hopes to find a new life.'

When Robertson moved on to introduce the video preview of the show, most of us were distracted from the excellent main course of Pan Roasted Fillet of Salmon with Vegetable Linguine and Sun-Dried Tomato Sauce. Quite a few plates remained untouched as the large screens on stage burst to life with fast-paced snippets of Miss Saigon, against a background of song segments from the show. As the brief video came to an end, there were dazed eyes and sighs a-plenty from around our table!

As an impressive dessert of Summer Berry Cheesecake with Guava Coulis (topped with edible gold leaf, no less) was being served, Leo Valdez took to the stage and sang in carefully measured notes,

What's that I smell in the air?
The 'Singaporean' dream ...
Sweet as a new millionaire
The 'Singaporean' dream ...

These modified lyrics from the Engineer's signature tune, 'The American Dream', had those of us familiar with the show laughing at the rather appropriate twist to the song! My companion at the table, a seasoned musical theatre performer of the West End stage, caught his breath over those few notes and assured me in hushed tones of Valdez's singing abilities, which he felt was most impressive. A return visitor to Singapore, Valdez mentioned how much he enjoyed our country and was looking forward to performing here, and also to having our Singapore food, especially chicken rice, over the duration of Miss Saigon's run in Singapore! A man after our own hearts, indeed!

'The Engineer' Speaks

Following the official press announcement and video preview of Miss Saigon, Leo Valdez, who will play the Engineer in the Hong Kong and Singapore production, and James Cundall, of IMG, met members of the press for a question and answer session.

A well-known singer in the Philippines and accomplished musical theatre performer, having played the role of the Engineer in both London (1994 to 1995, 1998 to 1999) and Sydney (1996), Leo Valdez answered press questions with quiet confidence. In response to a query on the difficulty of stepping into a role made famous by Jonathan Pryce, the original Engineer in the London production, and whether there are any differences in his portrayal of the role, Valdez expressed great respect for the work of Jonathan Pryce but said that he has approached the role with definite ideas of how he would like to portray it. As the character of the Engineer is half-Asian, Valdez feels that he is able to play the role in his own unique way by injecting his personal Asian perspective into it and, within the boundaries of the story and the script, the Director has given him support and flexibility in his interpretation of the role.

Having touted Miss Saigon as the last of the 'Big Four' musicals of the 20th century to be brought into Singapore, James Cundall was asked for the Singapore production's attraction to members of the public who have already seen this long running show, either in London's West End or on Broadway. Without hesitation, Cundall replied that the Asian tour has had the great benefit of the show's previous experiences and, most notably, has been able to draw upon the best performers from productions around the world. As he said, 'I'm really proud of this, as the cast for this show is so good.'

In response to other queries, Cundall also revealed that the original Broadway set will be used in Singapore and accommodating the show in Kallang Theatre will require some construction and reconstruction work to the theatre, including making a huge hole in one of the walls to fit in the necessary equipment.

In spite of having seen Miss Saigon three times in London's West End, including the original cast some four months after the show first opened, I nonetheless came away from the press conference intrigued and excited about watching this highly acclaimed show in Singapore.

Facinating Facts

Helicopter – Weighs 8,700 pounds, is 75% of actual size, fully computerised and took three months to build.

Cadillac – The tour prop is an 11-foot version, designed with special proportions for hanging at a special angle to make it appear full-sized (whereas the one used on Broadway was a full-sized frame and body).

Actors – Total of 46, with 3 Asian children to alternate in the role of little Tam. The cast wears 375 costumes in the show.

Musicians – There are 20, including the conductor.

Props – Uses hundreds, including 45 handguns, M-16s and AK-37 rifles.

Dry ice – Uses 300 pounds per show, and eight fog and smoke machines.

Sea containers – The show requires 33 containers to move it from city to city.

Casting

DeeDee Lynn Magno will play Kim in the Singapore season of Cameron Mackintosh's production of Miss Saigon. She brings with her extensive experience, having played Kim on Broadway.

Scott Anson will play the male lead, Chris. He played the same role in the West End production of Miss Saigon.

Booking Details

 Ticket prices are exclusive of $1 SISTIC fee.

Tickets are available through the SISTIC hotline (384 5555), outlets and website (www.sistic.com.sg) from 16 May 2001. For special group bookings, please call 340 9281.

No children under 2 will be admitted.

Anita Teo-Russell
Freelance Writer/Editor