Miss Saigon Returns with New UK Tour and Updated Production

The acclaimed musical Miss Saigon is set to tour the UK and Ireland with a new production that offers a fresh interpretation of the classic story. The tour includes a stop at Leeds Grand Theatre from 2 to 13 December 2025, presenting the show in venues it has not previously reached.

A New Chapter for a Long-Standing Musical

Since its world premiere over 35 years ago at London’s Theatre Royal Drury Lane, Miss Saigon has become a staple of musical theatre, seen by more than 38 million people worldwide. The original production won both Olivier and Tony Awards and has been celebrated for its powerful narrative and music.

This latest production, produced by Cameron Mackintosh and Michael Harrison, features a new creative team led by director Jean-Pierre van der Spuy, who previously directed the Australian Opera’s version of the show. The new staging is designed to be adaptable to theatres of varying sizes, allowing the production to reach audiences in venues smaller than the original 2,000-seat theatres.

Revisions and a Contemporary Perspective

The production incorporates revisions to the script and lyrics, building on changes first introduced in a recent Sheffield production. Mackintosh emphasises the importance of evolving the show to reflect contemporary perspectives, stating that all great works should be reinterpreted to resonate with current audiences.

Lighting designer Bruno Poet and video designer George Reeve have collaborated to create a visual experience that immerses the audience in the 1970s setting, using documentary footage to highlight the historical context of the Vietnam War. This approach aims to deepen understanding of the conflict’s impact on the characters and the real people who lived through that era.

Creative Approach and Scale

Director van der Spuy has worked with choreographers Chrissie Cartwright and Carrie-Anne Ingrouille to develop a production that balances epic scale with a more intimate, human focus. The cast consists of 28 actors and 13 musicians, supported by a technical team of 52, maintaining the show’s dramatic and emotional intensity.

The story centres on Kim, a 17-year-old Vietnamese girl who falls in love with American GI Chris during the final days of the Vietnam War. Their separation following the Fall of Saigon and Kim’s subsequent journey form the heart of the narrative.

Authenticity and Representation

The production places significant emphasis on authenticity, drawing inspiration from real historical events, including a photograph that inspired the original composer Claude-Michel Schönberg. The show highlights themes of sacrifice, love, and survival, particularly focusing on the experiences of women during the conflict.

Costume and set designer Andrew D. Edwards has aimed to create a realistic portrayal of the period and location, ensuring that the visual elements convey the atmosphere of Vietnam and Bangkok in the 1970s while remaining sensitive to modern audience expectations.

Cast and Cultural Significance

This tour features Filipino-Australian performer Seann Miley Moore as The Engineer, reprising their role from the 2023 Australian Opera production, and Julianne Pundan, a recent Brit School graduate, making her professional debut as Kim. The role of Kim will also be played by 17-year-old Bea Ward at certain performances.

Mackintosh notes the significance of Miss Saigon as one of the largest musicals to feature Asian talent and to address contemporary historical events rather than fictional period drama. The show continues to be popular in Asian countries, reflecting its cultural resonance.

Tour Dates and Venue

• Leeds Grand Theatre: Tuesday 2 – Saturday 13 December 2025

The production aims to engage audiences with a story that remains relevant today, focusing on the human experiences behind historical events rather than political commentary.

Source: Leeds Heritage Theatres, Miss Saigon – the legend reborn