by Zoë Broom
Michael Harrison, in association with Cameron Mackintosh, presents Boublil and Schönberg’s Miss Saigon, now playing at Hull New Theatre as part of its major UK tour.
The 2025–26 tour principal cast stars Seann Miley Moore as The Engineer, Julianne Pundan as Kim, Jack Kane as Chris, Dom Hartley-Harris as John and Emily Langham as Ellen. This new production marks a rebirth of Boublil and Schönberg’s legendary musical and, judging by the response in Hull, it is proving to be as powerful and emotionally gripping as ever.
Set against the backdrop of the Vietnam War, the show tells the tragic love story of Kim, a young Vietnamese woman, and Chris, an American soldier. From start to finish, the production captures both the brutality of war and the heartbreak of love, leaving a strong impression long after the final curtain.
The performances were of an exceptionally high standard throughout. Julianne Pundan, making her professional debut as Kim, stood out by delivering a deeply moving and assured performance. Chris was convincingly portrayed, while Seann Miley Moore’s Engineer provided a striking contrast to the darker themes, combining humour and charisma with commanding stage presence. Moore reprises the role following acclaimed international performances, bringing real confidence and flair to the part.
Musically, the production was equally strong. The orchestra sounded full and balanced throughout the evening, doing justice to a score packed with well-known songs including The Heat is On in Saigon, The Movie in My Mind, Last Night of the World and The American Dream. Visually, the staging was highly impressive, with atmospheric sets and lighting that added to the drama. The famous helicopter scene had real impact, clearly felt through the audience’s reaction. While a full helicopter is not used on stage, the moment still came across convincingly and powerfully.
This is not a production aimed at younger children. The themes are adult and, at times, harrowing. The programme provides useful additional context, including a detailed timeline of the Vietnam War, which adds depth to the story being told on stage.
Miss Saigon has a long and celebrated history, having premiered in London in 1989 and gone on to become one of the most successful musicals of all time, seen by more than 38 million people worldwide. Thirty-five years on from its West End debut, this new UK tour demonstrates why it continues to resonate with audiences.
Running until January 24, Miss Saigon has proved extremely popular in Hull, with most performances close to selling out. Evening shows run from 7.30pm to approximately 10.10pm.
