There are musicals that entertain, and then there are musicals that leave you breathless. Miss Saigon has always fallen into the latter. Thirty-five years since its West End premiere, Boublil and Schönberg’s epic returns – not as a museum piece, but as something vital, timely, and powerfully reimagined.
This autumn, Birmingham’s Alexandra Theatre will host a major new UK and Ireland tour of Miss Saigon (18–29 November), produced by Michael Harrison in association with Cameron Mackintosh. With a cast brimming with emerging stars and returning powerhouses, it promises to be a fresh take on a show that continues to echo across generations.
Leading the cast is the extraordinary Seann Miley Moore, reprising their celebrated role as The Engineer following a critically acclaimed international tour. Filipino-Australian and fiercely charismatic, Moore’s performance has already earned them the Critics’ Choice Award for Best Performance in a Musical in Sydney – and judging by early excitement, UK audiences are in for something unforgettable.
This new production also introduces a luminous new talent: Julianne Pundan, a recent graduate of the BRIT School, makes her professional debut as Kim – a role that demands both emotional depth and vocal finesse. She stars opposite Jack Kane as Chris, an actor equally comfortable on stage and screen, known for Dragonheart Vengeance and the acclaimed BBC/HBO series Years and Years.
The cast is completed by a group of performers with both classical training and contemporary reach. Dom Hartley-Harris, a Royal Birmingham Conservatoire graduate recently seen as George Washington in Hamilton, brings gravity and soul to the role of John. Emily Langham’s Ellen adds experience from Singin’ in the Rain and The Witches, while Mikko Juan (BBC/Hulu’s Better Things) plays Thuy. Semi-finalist from The Voice UK 2024, Ace, joins as Gigi – a wonderful blend of pop sensibility and theatrical flair.
There’s a compelling international spirit to this company – not only in its heritage but in its perspective. This Miss Saigon feels unafraid to challenge assumptions and embrace new stories within the old. It honours the original while opening the door to a new generation of audiences and artists.
Behind the scenes, the creative team is no less impressive. Jean-Pierre van der Spuy directs, joined by co-choreographers Chrissie Cartwright (CATS, Phantom) and Carrie-Anne Ingrouille (SIX). Design comes from Andrew D. Edwards, with lighting by Olivier-winner Bruno Poet, and sound design by Adam Fisher. The result? A production that’s both visually sumptuous and emotionally raw – a staging that complements the sweeping score with modern clarity.
Cameron Mackintosh himself remarked on the “enthusiasm of the public” and the speed with which tickets have flown from box offices across the country. It’s no surprise. Miss Saigon remains one of the most enduring musicals of our time – a sweeping love story set against the backdrop of war, migration, and sacrifice.
Since its 1989 debut, the show has been performed in 33 countries and seen by over 38 million people. Its iconic score – The Heat Is On in Saigon, Last Night of the World, The Movie in My Mind – continues to resonate, with its unforgettable blend of spectacle and intimacy.
But this production isn’t just about legacy. It’s about rebirth. With fresh faces, renewed purpose, and a creative team determined to do the story justice, Miss Saigon 2025 is set to stir hearts, spark conversation, and – perhaps most importantly – remind us why theatre still matters.
LISTING INFO
THE ALEXANDRA, BIRMINGHAM
Dates: Tue 18 – Sat 29 Nov
Website: https://www.atgtickets.com/venues/the-alexandra-theatre-birmingham/
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