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Post by partytentdown on Sept 22, 2022 8:44:29 GMT
Next July and August
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Post by Someone in a tree on Sept 22, 2022 8:45:34 GMT
And with a female engineer which I'm sure will get many talking
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Post by hitmewithurbethshot on Sept 22, 2022 8:59:33 GMT
It’s such a bizarre choice, the Engineer is one of musical theatre canon’s most misogynistic characters and the GIs only treat him better than the bargirls because he’s a man
I always felt the point of Kim’s story was that all the men in her life let her down and she’s the only one who can save herself
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Post by inthenose on Sept 22, 2022 9:23:46 GMT
I mean, the idea of a female “pimp” isn’t new. Madames have operated for centuries, but in a completely different manner to a typical street “hustler” like the Engineer is written to be.
I understand wanting to be different; we’ve had a brilliant “traditional” Miss Saigon in recent years, which also toured extensively. I wouldn’t be bothered about seeing another replica production for a long time anyway.
But I do wonder if this particular choice is appropriate for the telling of the story, regardless of Jo Ampil’s undeniable quality as a performer.
The Engineer is a human trafficking, misogynistic slimeball. He is able to manipulate desperate women because he is a man, and women in 1960’s Vietnam were considered inferior to men, subservient to an outrageous degree. I read a terrific book on this subject, and can provide details if anyone is interested! A woman (and I have strong suspicions how Jo will be portrayed in terms of look and sexuality) is a rather questionable choice.
Unlike many other gender swaps/non-traditional castings, I feel this does open opportunities. It feels it is happening because it’s Jo, rather than “let’s do a female Engineer to be different” then going down the usual casting process, as with Company for instance.
I just can’t see how it will work narratively.
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Post by longinthetooth on Sept 22, 2022 9:37:15 GMT
I got quite excited until I read 'female Engineer'. For goodness sake, why?
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Post by cezbear on Sept 22, 2022 9:39:24 GMT
This makes absolutely no sense and screams of doing something different for the sake of it, because there's no way the book makes sense with a female engineer. Non-replica, re-imagine, whatever, but don't make changes that fly in the face of the entire point of the character (for all the reasons inthenose pointed out so eloquently above).
On that note, especially please don't get any ideas to gender swap Kim.
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Post by Dr Tom on Sept 22, 2022 10:30:33 GMT
Such a big change just to stop us talking about how they'll stage the helicopter!
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Post by distantcousin on Sept 22, 2022 10:32:48 GMT
Musical theatre makers these days seem to be hell bent on moving further and further away from any semblance of historical accuracy don't they?....
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Post by Someone in a tree on Sept 22, 2022 10:55:56 GMT
Musical theatre makers these days seem to be hell bent on moving further and further away from any semblance of historical accuracy don't they?.... Ballet, opera and Shakespeare productions have done this for decades. All these art forms I'm very used to and so the endless debates on the musical section startle me somewhat. |
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Post by johartuk on Sept 22, 2022 11:01:57 GMT
Such a big change just to stop us talking about how they'll stage the helicopter! They'll probably change it into a plane! |
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Post by undeuxtrois on Sept 22, 2022 11:03:54 GMT
Such a big change just to stop us talking about how they'll stage the helicopter! GIVE US THE HELICOPTER |
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Post by undeuxtrois on Sept 22, 2022 11:07:25 GMT
Miss Saigon was the first show I saw and is one of my favourites. When I saw female engineer at first I was thinking what?? But I can see this working really well, a woman would be better to manipulate girls into joining. I’m excited to see this now!
(Please bring back Aynrand Ferrer for Kim!!)
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Post by og on Sept 22, 2022 11:11:02 GMT
Musical theatre makers these days seem to be hell bent on moving further and further away from any semblance of historical accuracy don't they?.... Ahh yes, Musical Theatre, well known documentary artform  |
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Post by og on Sept 22, 2022 11:14:47 GMT
Such a big change just to stop us talking about how they'll stage the helicopter! GIVE US THE HELICOPTER It'll be an interpretive dancer who identifies as a helicopter, and you will enjoy it. |
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Post by ceebee on Sept 22, 2022 11:19:26 GMT
Such a big change just to stop us talking about how they'll stage the helicopter! GIVE US THE HELICOPTER Tis a hot air balloon this time to elongate the evacuation scene which tends to run a little short. |
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Post by inthenose on Sept 22, 2022 11:23:40 GMT
Tis a hot air balloon this time to elongate the evacuation scene which tends to run a little short. Glass elevator!!! |
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Post by oxfordsimon on Sept 22, 2022 11:26:01 GMT
Miss Saigon has a very particular setting in terms of location and time period. Anything that takes you away from that needs very careful consideration.
I can see a case for the Engineer being a lady boy who became a hustler once his age caught up with him and so bringing elements of drag/female impersonation into the character.
But a female Engineer does feel at odds with the setting of the story. Particularly, as others have noted, the way Kim is let down by the men in her life.
The role doesn't involve much harmony or ensemble singing so the switch doesn't harm the score particularly.
I shall just stick to the OCR I think
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Post by inthenose on Sept 22, 2022 11:33:26 GMT
Musical theatre makers these days seem to be hell bent on moving further and further away from any semblance of historical accuracy don't they?.... Ahh yes, Musical Theatre, well known documentary artform Whilst I agree (people burst into song randomly, walk around a stage, we all know it’s not real) in principle, there is a line. I draw the line at maintaining believability and “truth” within the story. Willing suspension of disbelief depends on the nature of the piece. Magical flying car, do what you like. What might work in Chitty as a bit of “business” will not work in a piece which is meant to elicit an emotional response, like Les Mis. Nobody is saying (I hope!) that MT is realistic, but it should be delivered as if true. Directors often talk about “finding the truth” in a piece - even in panto. |
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Sept 22, 2022 11:46:35 GMT
As long as they’ve got Sheffield accents I’m ok 🙂
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Post by og on Sept 22, 2022 11:46:49 GMT
A new production of Miss Saigon will be presented in the Crucible Theatre from Saturday 8 July 2023 to Saturday 12 August 2023.
The first regional non-replica production of Boublil and Schönberg's hit musical (which is set during the Vietnam War and follows a tragic love story) will feature a reimagined staging by Sheffield Theatres' artistic director Robert Hastie and RTYDS associate artistic director Anthony Lau as co-directors, with design by Ben Stones and lighting design by Jessica Hung Han Yun.
Joanna Ampil (South Pacific) will play The Engineer, with additional casting to be announced.
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Post by Seriously on Sept 22, 2022 11:47:03 GMT
Sounds fab. Looking forward to it.
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Post by intoanewlife on Sept 22, 2022 11:56:27 GMT
It'll be an interpretive dancer who identifies as a helicopter, and you will enjoy it. Or a puppet with 15 visible operators… |
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Post by WireHangers on Sept 22, 2022 12:40:43 GMT
Well I’m excited. I saw the new production twice (once in the London and once in Manchester) and I remember thinking I likely wouldn’t bother seeing the show again but this does sound intriguing!
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Post by TallPaul on Sept 22, 2022 15:25:03 GMT
As long as they’ve got Sheffield accents I’m ok 🙂 Me and thee could audition, BurlyBeaR. Typical! The one day I'm incommunicado, and this is announced. I don't know why everyone is worrying. When was the last time the world-famous Crucible Theatre let us down? |
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Sept 22, 2022 15:39:38 GMT
As long as they’ve got Sheffield accents I’m ok 🙂 Me and thee could audition, BurlyBeaR . Typical! The one day I'm incommunicado, and this is announced. I don't know why everyone is worrying. When was the last time the world-famous Crucible Theatre let us down? I can be that main one who’s handsome and can sing. You can be… one of the others. 🙂 |
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