Miss Saigon is coming to the Birmingham Alex - we speak to one of its biggest stars who is excited to star on its famous stage

I have to confess to being a Miss Saigon aficionado. From the moment I saw Cameron MackIntosh’s first production of the show back in 1988, starring the beautiful and talented Lea Salonga as Kim and the award-winning actor Jonathan Pryce as The Engineer, I was hooked.

It took the West End and Broadway by storm and is still as popular today as it ever was. The latest UK tour began in Manchester earlier this week and is heading for the Birmingham Alexandra Theatre next. 

So many versions of the show have followed and I have seen every one, watching the show evolve and change over the years, but one thing always remains the same. “Miss Saigon” will haunt you, it provokes emotions you didn’t even know you had and it will stay with you forever.

Based on Puccini’s exceptional opera, “Madama Butterfly” this is a modern day retelling of such a sad tale. During the Vietnam war, GI Chris meets a simple bar girl called Kim and they fall in love with devastating consequences. The highs and lows of their love affair are played out against the hideous background of war and ultimately the fall of Saigon.

Amid the contrast of love and war sits one central character who dominates the piece; The Engineer.

At last diversity and inclusion in theatrical roles is being taken seriously and hopefully we will soon reach a time when there will be no need to question casting. With this in mind, the latest performer to take on the iconic role of The Engineer is X Factor performer and musical theatre star, Seann Miley Moore. As a child of British and Filipino parents, and as an openly gay man, he has a different take on the name of the character, renaming him “The 

Seann is certainly no stranger to the role. “I played it on the international tour in Australia and Asia, so we got to perform at the Sydney Opera House, and then bringing it back to Manila was so significant where so many Filipino performers in the show are from. It was so special. I also performed it in the National Theatre in Taiwan and now we are here on a tour of the UK and Ireland”, he said.

Because Seann has played the character many times before, I wondered how he kept his performance fresh? “That is the journey of live theatre,” he said. “Playing eight shows a week for a year and half is tough but it is my job to keep the character fresh and alive, but also it is a testament to Shonberg and Boublil’s music and lyrics and Michael Harrison and Cameron MackIntosh who have created this new version, bringing me on board. Also bringing back moments from the original score performed at Drury Lane as well as a new stage setting. There so many new surprises.”

Also there is no doubt that although The Engiqueer brings much needed humour to the piece, he is actually quite horrible. “You know we live in a world of war at the moment and back then it was the same. He is trying to survive and he will do anything to have a better life; “The American Dream.” We can’t fathom that,” said 

Who did Seann draw from for the role? “There is a lot of myself in it, but also I based him on my Filipino aunties who are fearless and unapologetic to be who they are,” he laughed.

Understandably, “The American Dream” is Seann’s favourite song from the musical. When he auditioned for the role, Seann said, “It’s all in the lyrics. I just went in and served “The American Dream” on a platter and made Cameron MacIntosh eat it and he went “Wow!” But that said, I could not have done this show without the beautiful pioneers who came before me, Jonathon Pryce, Lea Salonga, Jon Jon Briones who we feel on the stage and who are pioneers of theatre and fabulosity” (what a great word!), said Seann. “We are bringing “Miss Saigon” to new audiences and the legend is reborn,” he concluded. 

“Cameron and Michael champion new visions within their show. Even with the lyrics, they have added my choice of ad-libs; that is the change they are giving for this new version,” said 

There are many standout moments to look forward to, and I was dying to ask if the iconic helicopter scene is still part of this new version of the show, but I resisted, instead deciding to wait and see for myself. Seann was keen to keep secrets too, but he did tell me that the lighting on “The American Dream” number is pure showgirl fantasy. Sounds good to me.

The cast has very much a family feel it to. “We have an energy when we come together. Our Kims, Julianne Pundan, (who is interestingly making her professional debut in this show) and Bea Ward are so beautiful, powerful and talented and then we have Dom Hartley-Harris as John who brings the house down every night,” he said.

There is no doubt that the roles of The Engineer (or queer) and Kim are the most iconic and largest roles an Asian performer can ever play. “We need more Asian stories and representation and also more queer stories to bring that energy and put our own stamp on that.”

I asked Seann a simple question next. West End or Broadway? “Let’s do it all honey,” he laughed!

And his dream role? “I mean, let’s say it, Seann Miley Moore Christmas Special at the London Palladium!” I love his ambition, warmth and enthusiasm for life and when he achieve his goal, I will be on the front row cheering him on. 

“Miss Saigon” plays at the Birmingham Alexandra Theatre from November 18-29. For tickets, visit atgtickets.com or call 0333 009 5399.