Guest fountainhall Posted September 26, 2012 Posted September 26, 2012 In case you missed today’s Bangkok Post Life Section which had about a page and a half of articles about the musical “Miss Saigon”, the show opened this evening with a Gala Performance and is scheduled to run till October 21 at the Rajadalai Theatre in the Esplanade. Although it is a Thai production in Thai, it is modeled closely after the London and New York productions and was supervised by representatives from the Cameron Mackintosh organization, the show's original producer. Inevitably there is some toning down and some Thai elements have been added, but it is a splendid evening and well worth seeing. There are also excellent English subtitles. There is a galaxy of great looking guys in the show, none more so than the gorgeous Khun ‘Gun’, 22-year old Napat Injaiuea, who plays the leading role of Chris, the American GI who abandons Kim as Saigon falls to the North Vietnamese. Gun is a terrific actor and no mean singer. Invited by a friend involved in the production, I met most of the cast at the after-show party. I thought I had died and gone to heaven! Khun Gun is even more stunning off-stage. Chris and Kim in a scene from "Miss Saigon" Photo: The Nation I’m sure most Thais will love it, even though the through-composed nature of the show, with few recognizable ‘aria’ type tunes, may at first seem a little unusual. I’ll be returning two or three more times with young Thai friends! Ticket prices are from Bt. 500 – Bt. 2,800. Details at thaiticketmajor http://www.bangkokpo...among-the-ruins http://www.thaiticke...?sid=1386&la=en More good news for those who enjoy musicals. An international touring production of Andrew Lloyd Webber's "Phantom of the Opera" will be at the Rajadalai in May next year. Quote
TotallyOz Posted September 28, 2012 Posted September 28, 2012 This is very exciting to me. I hope to take the BF to see this while I am on holiday! Quote
Rogie Posted September 28, 2012 Posted September 28, 2012 I’m sure most Thais will love it, even though the through-composed nature of the show, with few recognizable ‘aria’ type tunes, may at first seem a little unusual. I rarely go to the theatre. What does through-composed mean? I would be sorely tempted to see this show if I was in Bkk but the run finishes before my next trip. Do you think there is any chance the run will be extended? Quote
Guest fountainhall Posted September 28, 2012 Posted September 28, 2012 Sorry Rogie, it seems unlikely to be extended. My colleague tells me if it sells out for the full four weeks, they may extend by a week, but almost certainly no more. Not sure how to describe "through composed" succinctly! If you think of older musicals like "The Sound of Music", "West SIde Story" and "My Fair Lady", these tend to be broken down into a series of solos, duets, ensemble numbers and orchestral items with dialogue in between. Many more modern musicals, like "Phantom of the Opera" and "Miss Saigon" have little or no spoken dialogue - the music is just one continuous stream and everything is sung. This does not mean there are no popular solo type numbers - as with 'Music of the Night' in "Phantom of the Opera". Just that they are less obvious. Quote
Guest travelerjim Posted September 28, 2012 Posted September 28, 2012 Thank you fountainhall for sharing this ... I truly wish I was able to see Miss Saigon w/my Thai bf... But unfortunately, not possible at this time. I have shared the show information with friends, in hopes they may be able to enjoy Miss Saigon. Thanks again, Take good care! tj Quote
Guest fountainhall Posted September 28, 2012 Posted September 28, 2012 Sorry you will miss it, Jim. But there are more good shows in the pipeline. There is another long piece about this particular production in The Nation today - http://www.nationmultimedia.com/life/The-GI-and-the-bar-girl-30191281.html Quote