Right, one of the reasons why I am in Liverpool is to see Miss Saigon – the UK tour 2005. I’ve always wanted to see this show and it had been long since the curtains went down in London’s West End, I feel lucky enough that the show’s producers decided to stage a touring ensemble. Watching the show makes me feel really proud being a Pinoy because most of the lead players are Pinoys!
Jun Jun Briones as the Engineer was simply delightful! He played it differently from how Jonathan Pryce originally played it in West End but to my opinion, I think it was more effective. More fitting to the role. I especially loved his rendition of If You Want To Die In Bed.
I cannot remember who played Kim tonight but she was also good. However, there were moments that she was overpowered (her voice, I mean) by the other characters. That scene where she and the Engineer were being beaten for being traitors as per the order of the Thuy, she re-emerged with blood running down her nose. I’m not quite sure if that was part of the production or she was indeed having nose bleeds. It was pretty effective but I hope she wasn’t hurt.
Why do they always cast the Chris character as this typical hunky, gorgeous G.I.? He is quite yummy but it was a bit of a turnoff the way he walks across the stage. May kembot! :shhh:
I cannot NOT mention how Hugh Maynard sang Bui Doi – it was fantastic! It had a touch of gospel singing to it and it really, really moved me.
I would have loved to meet the Pinoy cast (at least) so I hung around the theatre but they took a long time to come out. I wouldn’t want to be out on my own so late since I don’t know if Liverpool is safe during the night. So, I just jumped into a taxi to take me back to the hotel singing silently You are sunlight and I moon. Joined by the gods of fortune. Midnight and high noon. Sharing the sky. We have been blessed, you and I.
(25 March 2005)
…more Liverpool stories to follow…
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even though les miz is probably my fave musical, miss saigon is definitely up there. i’ve seen both multiple times and i don’t think i’ll ever get tired of them!
my fave song in miss saigon is Bui Doi, i think. it’s quite powerful specially sang after an intermission. definitely brings back your interest!
wow!
i saw briones do the engineer in the manila production at ccp some years back. iba talaga kapag asian ang mag depict ng engineer. it’s more ‘edgy’. i don’t know nga how lea salonga managed this role, because she’s super sakang and not at all graceful or athletic. oh well, binawi sa vocal power. :cheerful: