Miss Saigon, 2025/26 UK Tour Review
Written by Emily H for Theatre & Tonic
Disclaimer: Gifted tickets in exchange for an honest review
Fifty years after the fall of Saigon, this revival of Miss Saigon feels more powerful and more necessary than ever. Returning to the stage on such a significant anniversary, it’s a production that grips from the first moment and breathes new life into a story long defined by its intensity.
Set during the horror and desperation of the Vietnam War, Miss Saigon follows the ill-fated love between Kim, a young Vietnamese woman, and Chris, an American GI. Their relationship, born in the chaos of conflict, drives a story of survival, love, and the fractured human cost of war.
The atmosphere is undeniably intense from the very start, with a fantastic set (Andrew D Edwards), dynamic lighting (Bruno Poet) and striking choreography (Chrissie Cartwright and Carrie-Ann Ingrouile) that brilliantly captures the chaos and heat of Saigon’s streets. It’s an opening that immediately pulls the audience into the world of the show and is a masterclass in quality production.
In a remarkable professional debut as Kim, Julianne Pundan delivers a performance that is nothing short of exceptional. Her voice is both effortless and devastating, laying bare Kim’s innocence, resolve and heartbreak with emotional maturity. Dominic Hartley-Harris brings depth and warmth to John, his velvet tone underscoring the complex pull between his loyalty and compassion. Jack Kane’s portrayal of Chris is similarly well-judged, his initially youthful vocal quality deepening as the character’s journey intensifies. This is a vocally challenging show, but these performers rise to it so effortlessly that you’d swear the score was written just to show off their voices.
While the big ensemble numbers are slick, powerful and often dazzling, it’s the small, simple moments that arguably set the standard for this revival. “The Last Night of the World” is a perfect example. The chemistry between Kim and Chris is undeniably strong, but it’s the soft, playful moment tucked into the middle of the song that really makes it shine, highlighting a genuine connection in the midst of an otherwise bleak world. It would be easy for those human touches to get lost in a show this intense, but director Jean-Pierre Van Der Spuy brings them out with seeming ease.
In fact, one of the strongest aspects of this revival is its emphasis on well-rounded, believable characters. This production doesn’t try to gloss over the horrors of war but instead leans into the desperation, fear and futility that shape people in impossible circumstances. No one here is painted as simply good or bad, just human.
Seann Miley Moore embodies this complexity in all its many forms as the Engineer, bringing a fresh, bold edge to the role. Their interpretation is brilliantly queer, often outrageous and sharply funny, but there’s also a flicker of vulnerability beneath the surface. They tread a brilliant line between charm, menace and sheer unpredictability as the kind of character that would smile warmly at you while sticking a knife in your back. This perfectly balanced humour remains essential, grounding the audience without undoing the show’s emotional weight. A true triumph of this revival.
There’s a real sense that the team, both onstage and off, understands the weight of the story they’re telling and treats it with care and courage. The result is a revival that not only honours the original musical but deepens it – a version that feels more human, more grounded and, ultimately, more moving.
With its stunning performances, emotional honesty and moments of breathtaking theatricality, it stands as a powerful reminder that, as the show itself tells us, “War is never over when it ends”.
Miss Saigon embarks on a UK tour until August 2026
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
